MOTHER OF PEARL (NACRE)

[Ella's Treasures]

Mother of Pearl is an iridescent layer of material which forms the shell lining of many molluscs. Pearl oysters and abalone are both sources of mother of pearl, which is widely used as an inlay in jewelry. Mother of pearl comes in several natural colours and is often bleached and dyed for decorative use.

Two substances actually combine to create mother of pearl. The first is plates of aragonite, a material which is secreted by the mollusc. Aragonite contains calcium carbonate and conchiolin, a natural protein. Alone, the plates are very hard, but also very brittle. As a result, the organism also secretes organic material similar to silk, in layers between the plates. The result is a strong, flexible material.

Molluscs create mother of pearl to protect themselves. In addition to forming part of the shell, mother of pearl also insulates molluscs from bacterial infection, and reduces irritation from organic material which drifts into the shell. Irregularities often form in the mother of pearl as a result of irritation. If the irritation is extensive enough, the mollusc will form a pearl, highly sought after by us jewelry lovers. Only the outer layer of the pearl is covered in mother of pearl, which is why it is important to treat with care.

The pearly lining of mollusc shells has long been noted by people living near the ocean. Many early cultures used mother of pearl extensively in jewelry, and it came to be highly prized. Although the popularity of mother of pearl has waned, many modern cultures can still appreciate the beauty of mother of pearl jewelry.

Like other substances found in nature, mother of pearl develops irregularities as it forms. As a result, every piece of mother of pearl jewelry is slightly different.

Cleaning/Storage: Use mild soaps and water on mother of pearl to clean it. Avoid storing it with jewelry which may scratch and wear away the luminous layers of nacre.