Abalone (Haliotis rufescens) shell. Large empty shell from a red abalone. Abalone is a common name for any of a group of small to very large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Haliotidae. The red abalone is found in North America, from British Columbia, Canada, to Baja California, Mexico. This specimen has been slightly polished to bring out the mother of pearl (shiny) and measures 22 x 16 x 4 cm. From California, USA.