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When selecting frozen abalones sealed in clear plastic, what shade is best? 

Is lighter or darker abalone better? Why? The store lets you hold and see these frozen pre-packaged abalone. But obviously, you can't unseal without purchase.   I am befuddled by contradicting advice from the Internet.

This WordPress recomends light abalones.
>["Avoid darkened ones."](https://ivorylow.wordpress.com/about/choosing-and-cooking-abalone-in-brief) 

But this contradicts "dark" in

>[When selecting fresh abalone, it should be thick, **dark [emphasis mine]**, and have no off smells.](https://www.thespruceeats.com/about-abalone-2215715)

![](https://www.tasmanianseafoods.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/greenlip-blacklip-abalone-tasmanian-seafoods-australia.jpg)

![](https://c7.alamy.com/comp/AFKYET/over-100-australian-dollars-for-a-single-frozen-brown-lip-abalone-AFKYET.jpg) 

[Top picture.](https://www.tasmanianseafoods.com.au/products/abalone) [Bottom](https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-over-100-australian-dollars-for-a-single-frozen-brown-lip-abalone-13973855.html).