About Shell Size & Color

The Kahelelani shells occur in an almost infinite range of colors. They range is size from 3 to 7 mm. Some of the colors and textures are named after flowers. They range from pale, almost white (Kahelelani ke'oke'o ), through light brown with green striations (Kahelelani 'oma'oma'o) to the dark burgundy shades (Kahelelani maku'e). (Kahelelani akala pua) "pink flower kahelelani" are light pink with circular bands of darker pink checks. Some Niihauans differentiate a pink-colored shell with light striations as kehekelani akala pua ahiehie "light pink flower" and the darker=striated shell as kahelelani akala pua ikaika. The most prized and sought-after shells are red (Kahelelani ula ula) and hot pink (Kahelelani akala ika ika or waipapipi) named after the pink blossom of the prickly pear (opuntia megacantha) cactus. "Common" kahelelani shells are a golden tan color with darker striations and a hint of red. A good fade in the stringing displays the diversity of colors as one shade blends into the next. This is a very time consuming process and thus very rare to find a rainbow color fade.