Abalam Laminated Sheet: Agoya — Surface Inlay

Tight-grained Japanese agoya pearl shell with a silky, even luster and delicate shimmer. Its refined, uniform figure suits precise small-scale inlay and jewelry-grade detail.

Abalam laminated veneer-ply sheet, approximately 9.5 x 5.5 inches. Unlike thin veneer, Abalam fuses shell layers into a thick, stable ply: deeper and more consistent color that will not sand away, fewer and less obvious joints, and no natural fracture lines — it breaks evenly where solid shell would follow a fault.

Specifications

• Shell: Pinctada fucata; Japan
• Sheet size: approx. 9.5" x 5.5"
• Thicknesses: .030" – .250"
• Sold: per sheet
• SKU: VP-AGOYA

Working with this shell

Saw, rout or carve like a dense hardwood; the laminated ply cuts cleanly without the fracture lines of solid shell. Sand through grits and polish for a deep wet look. Do not soak to soften — test any wet technique on scrap first. Wear a respirator: shell dust is hazardous.

Please note: No joints showing; best when finished.

SURFACE INLAY ONLY: this laminated sheet is thicker than veneer stock and is made for surface inlay work — carving, sign making, and inlay into wood, stone and similar surfaces. Not recommended for reverse glass work due to thickness.

SORRY NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING due to law, Shell SHIPS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES ONLY