Mother of Pearl

Mother of pearl is a shiny, iridescent substance that forms the inner lining of the shells of some mollusks, such as oysters and abalone.

It is also known as nacre and is composed of a combination of calcium carbonate, and other organic substances.

The mother of pearl itself consists of numerous thin layers of the mineral aragonite, separated by layers of organic material. This layered structure reflects light in a way that creates an iridescent effect.

Some fossils have iridescence and play of colour due to nacre – especially Ammolite, and the Madagascan iridescent Ammonites.

Showing the single result

Information about Mother of Pearl

Mother of Pearl, or nacre, is a smooth, iridescent substance forming the inner layer of the shells of certain molluscs.

Uses and History

Mother of Pearl has been used for millennia in jewellery, inlay, buttons, watch dials, musical instruments, and as decorative art in furniture and religious artefacts.

The use of nacre dates back to ancient civilisations, including Mesopotamia, China, Egypt, and the Indus Valley, where it was carved into decorative objects, beads, and inlay.

The name “Mother of Pearl” refers to the mother shell in which pearls grow.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was heavily harvested for making buttons and inlay in Europe and the United States. It continues to hold cultural and artistic value worldwide.

 

Mineralogy

Chemistry
Organic material primarily composed of Aragonite CaCO3.
Colours and Variations

Iridescent white, pink, green, silver, gold, blue, cream. Often dyed.

Streak
Luster
Pearly to silky
Transparency
Fracture
Crystal habit
Not crystalline; layered microstructure of aragonite platelets in a protein matrix
Mohs hardness
Fluorescence
Specific Gravity
Easiest testing method

Hazards and Warnings

Cutting or grinding shells can be a respiratory problem: https://torontolife.com/life/my-beautiful-death/

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

 

Translations

Arabic:

Hindi:

Portuguese:

  • Madrepérola

Bengali:

Indonesian:

Punjabi:

English:

  • Mother of Pearl

Italian:

  • Madreperla

Russian:

  • Перламутр

French:

  • Nacre

Japanese:

  • 真珠母貝

Spanish:

  • Perlmutt

German:

  • Perlmutt

Korean:

Thai:

Gujurati:

Mandarin Chinese:

  • 珍珠母

Urdu:

Further Reading / External Links