What Is Mother Of Pearl?

Although often referred to as a gemstone - mother of pearl is actually an organic gem. Mother of pearl is a smooth iridescent substance that forms in the shells of various mollusks such as oysters. 

Also known as ‘nacre’, it is the same substance that makes up natural pearls. It is formed of interlocking platelets that are bound together by conchiolin proteins. The thickness of the layers of protein between the platelets affect the light passing through and ultimately determine the colours that we see. 

The reason mother of pearl is formed is to help shield & defend their soft bodies from parasites & debris. 

What Is The Difference Between Mother Of Pearl & Pearl? 

Both pearls and mother of pearl are both made of nacre but pearls are formed when an external contaminant such as a grain of sand enters the oyster. When an irritant gets in the oysters shell, layers of nacre are secreted to protect the mollusk. Over many months / years a pearl is formed by continuous layers of nacre that is secreted around the irritant. 

Mother of pearl however is just the flat inner lining of the mollusk shell & pearls are often shaped as small round balls. 

Pearls are more expensive, because they are rarer than the more accessible mother of pearl. Mother of pearl is frequently used in fine jewellery as a more affordable option because it is easy to work with. It is often used in high end watch dials & other parts. 

The History Of Mother Of Pearl 

The history of mother of pearl dates back to ancient civilisations including the Egyptians, the Greeks & the Romans. During these times, it was frequently used in architecture, statues, furniture, small boxes, musical instruments & jewellery. 

Some mother of pearl use has been observed in Ancient Egypt in pyramids & tombs of the ruling classes as far back as 4000 BC. 

The earliest evidence of mother of pearl in China dates as far back as the Shang Dynasty 1600-1050 BC. Popularity of mother of pearl in China rose greatly during the Ming Dynasty as mother of pearl inlays became culturally significant. 

When Marco Polo visited southern India in 1294, he observed up to 500 ships harvesting pearl oyster beds. While earlier use of mother pearl existed in India long before, major artisanal production of mother of pearl goods made way during the 1500s. 

During the renaissance, mother of pearl boomed in popularity in Europe as it became widely used in fashion & art. 

In the 19th century, the invention of the button making machine led to a surge in demand for mother of pearl buttons. 

Types of mother of pearl: 

The various colours of mother of pearl comes down to the type of oyster or mollusk that it comes from. 

White mother of pearl 

• Classic white mother of pearl 

• Can be found in Akoya oysters, white pinctada maxima oysters as well as fresh water mussels. 

Pink & lavender mother of pearl 

• The rainbow lipped oyster often displays pink & violet hues 

Black mother of pearl 

• Comes from the Tahitian black-lipped oysters aka the Pinctada margaritifera

• It displays dark iridescent shades of green, blue & violet shades. 

Golden mother of pearl 

• Found in Pincatada maxima (gold-lipped oysters) 

• Highly valued for use in high end jewellery, this type of oyster is rare. 

At Lucy Jurado we offer white & pink mother of pearl silver rings. 

How should I care for my Mother of pearl jewellery? 

Mother of pearl is a delicate gem and requires special attention & care to keep them looking their best. 

You should avoid exposure to harsh chemicals like cosmetics, sunscreen, sanitiser, perfumes, detergents & cleaning products. 

To clean mother of pearl jewellery, wipe them gently with a soft, damp cloth after use to remove any dirt or sweat. 

Store your mother of pearl jewellery separately from other jewellery to prevent scratching and keep it away from direct sunlight or heat sources.