Mother of pearl is the shiny layer on the inside of some mollusk shells. The proper name is nacre, and it's the same stuff pearls are made of. The difference is that it stays on the shell, so it gets cut into flat pieces like discs, beads, and inlays instead of being worn round. Below we’lll go through how it's different from a pearl, why the colour changes when you move it, where it comes from, and how to look after it.
What Is Mother of Pearl?
When a mollusk grows, it keeps coating the inside of its shell with nacre. That coating is the mother of pearls. A pearl forms when something gets stuck inside the mollusk, like a bit of debris or a parasite, and the animal covers it in nacre over and over until it turns into a small ball. Same material, different shape.
That's the main reason they're used differently. Pearls are normally worn the way they grew: round, oval, or drop-shaped. The mother of pearl is cut out of the shell, so you can get it as a coin, a flower, a petal, whatever the designer wants, with the same shimmering white as the round pearls.
Where Does Mother of Pearl Come From?
Most of it comes from three types of mollusk:
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Pearl oysters. These are the most commonly harvested. White-lipped oysters produce lighter shades like white, cream, and champagne. Black-lipped oysters produce darker shades like black, green, blue, and bronze. Both are found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
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Abalone. This is a large sea snail found along the coasts of California, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its nacre has strong blue, green, purple, and pink tones.
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Freshwater mussels. These live in rivers and lakes in North America and Asia. Their nacre is usually pastel, from white to light purple, and it's a common source of lower-priced mother of pearl.
The exact look depends on the species, the water temperature, the animal's diet, and how thick the nacre layers are.
What's the Difference Between Mother of Pearl and a Pearl?
Both are made of nacre, but they form in different ways and look different.
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Formation: Mother of pearl is the lining of the shell. A pearl forms when an irritant gets into the mollusk and gets coated in nacre.
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Shape: Mother of pearl is flat and follows the curve of the shell. Pearls are mostly round, but can be oval or teardrop-shaped.
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Flexibility: Mother of pearl can be cut and carved into shapes like flowers and leaves. Pearls are mostly used in their natural shape.
Why Is Mother of Pearl So Popular Right Now?
Jewelry trends have moved away from big, flashy pieces and toward simpler ones. Mother of pearl suits that trend for a few reasons. The sheen is soft, so it doesn't look loud. It works with both casual and dressier outfits. And it's lightweight, so it's comfortable to wear all day. It's a good option if you like the look of gemstones but want something lighter and easier to wear every day.
How to Care for Mother of Pearl Jewelry
You can wear it every day, you just need to be a bit careful. It's fairly soft, and chemicals can dull it.
Do:
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Put your perfume, lotion, and hairspray on first, jewelry after.
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Wipe it with a soft dry cloth when you take it off. That clears the oils and residue.
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Clean it with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap in lukewarm water when it needs more, then dry it straight away.
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Keep it in its own soft pouch or a lined box.
Don't:
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Wear it in the shower, pool, or gym. Water and sweat wear down the surface over time.
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Leave it in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill. Heat can discolour it.
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Use ultrasonic cleaners, ammonia, alcohol, or anything abrasive.
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Store it loose with harder stones. They can scratch it.
Mother of Pearl Jewelry at Gisser Jewels
If you want to see how mother of pearl looks in jewelry, Gisser Jewels has a few pieces that will excite your eyes.
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Icon Coin Necklace Mother of Pearl: a coin-shaped mother of pearl pendant on a fine chain.
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Pearl & Mother of Pearl Bracelet: pearls and mother of pearl in the same bracelet, so you can compare them side by side.
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Mother of Pearl Bracelet: a simple bracelet with the nacre as the main feature.
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Mother of Pearl Coin Ear Studs: small coin-shaped studs you can wear daily.
FAQs About Mother of Pearl
1. What is mother of pearl?
It's the inner layer of certain mollusk shells, made of nacre. Pearls are made of the same material, but mother of pearl stays on the shell and gets cut into flat pieces.
2. Is mother of pearl the same as nacre?
Yes. Nacre is the scientific name, and mother of pearl is what it's usually called in jewelry.
3. Is mother of pearl natural?
Yes, it comes from real shells. Some pieces are dyed, though, so check the description if you want the natural colour.
4. Can mother of pearl get wet?
A splash or a quick wipe is fine. Wearing it in the shower, pool, or gym will slowly dull it, so take it off first
