Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl, 7 Main Differences Revealed

Art Nacre Inc - Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl, 7 Main Differences Revealed
Art Nacre Inc – Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl, 7 Main Differences Revealed

After the read of the Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl article, you will know about the 7 differences between pearl and mother-of-pearl.

Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 1. Different sourcesPearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 2. The difference production processPearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 3. Difference formationPearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 4. The different compositionPearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 5. Different places of originPearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 6. The medical role is differentPearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 7. Difference in value and use

What are the differences between pearls and mother-of-pearl?

Mother-of-pearl, the mussel shell of the pearl, provides nutrition for the growth and development of the pearl; there may not be a pearl with mother-of-pearl, but there will be mother-of-pearl present if there is a pearl.

What are the differences between pearls and mother-of-pearl definition?

Mother-of-pearl mussels are a type of shellfish that live in the ocean and are usually found at depths of 10 to 40 feet. They are sometimes referred to as true mother-of-pearl because they are one of the species that produce natural pearls. Because they are the mother of pearls, their carapace also has similarities to pearls and is made into naturally beautiful jewelry.

Mother-of-Pearl Jewelry

The ones that make you more beautiful!

An ancient organic gemstone, pearls are a smooth, round, precious material produced through mother-of-pearl or other soft mollusk shells. Pearls are mainly produced in the nacreous shellfish and mother-of-pearl shellfish mollusks to form the cells in the body.

A pearl is a mineral grain containing calcium carbonate produced by the endocrine action of the shell and is made up of a large number of tiny aragonite crystals. Pearls come in a wide variety of shapes and colors.

What are the differences between pearls and mother-of-pearl applications?

Both mother-of-pearl and pearls add beauty to jewelry. These two are great wonders and have been attractive since ancient times. Mother of pearl and pearls are considered to be gemstones that add beauty. Women love to add pearls to necklaces, rings, bracelets, nose rings, and earrings.

What are the differences between pearls and mother-of-pearl obtained?

Mother-of-pearl is made from mollusks, usually from pearl shells or abalone. Mollusks create mother-of-pearl shells to protect their soft tissues from foreign debris and parasites.

Just like mother-of-pearl, pearls come from mollusks. Pearls are made from calcium carbonate. Pearls are usually round but can be formed into other shapes. A pearl forms when a foreign object enters the mollusk. A concentric layer forms around this foreign object and surrounds it, thus forming the pearl.

While mother-of-pearl and nacre are made from layers of nacre, the former is formed when the shell is lined and the latter is formed when the foreign object is encased in the shell. Pearls are round in shape, while mother-of-pearl is formed with the shell.

Mother-of-pearl is very sparkling, beautiful, and strong. Mother of pearl is used to decorate jewelry, furniture, and architectural pieces. On the other hand, pearls are considered precious and are mainly used in necklaces, earrings, and rings.

Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl, the main difference between mother-of-pearl and pearls

Art Nacre Inc - Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl, The Differences Between Pearls and Mother-of-Pearl
Art Nacre Inc – Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl, The Differences Between Pearls and Mother-of-Pearl

Mother-of-pearl is made from mollusks, usually from pearl shells or abalone. Mollusks create mother-of-pearl shells to protect their soft tissues from foreign debris and parasites.

Pearls also come from mollusks. Pearls are made from calcium carbonate.

When a foreign object enters a mollusk, a pearl is formed. A concentric layer forms around this foreign object and surrounds it, thus forming the pearl.

Mother-of-pearl and nacre are made from layers of nacre, but the former is formed when the shell is lined and the latter is formed when the foreign body is encased in the shell.

Mother-of-pearl is used to decorate jewelry, furniture, and architectural pieces. On the other hand, pearls are considered precious and are mainly used in necklaces, earrings, and rings.

Pearls are round in shape while mother-of-pearl is formed with the shell.

The difference between mother-of-pearl and pearl is mainly in terms of source, nature, appearance, grade, specific gravity, and uses.

Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 1. Different sources

Mother-of-pearl for the mussel family animals triangular sail mussels, pleated crown mussels, or pearl oyster family animals, the shell of the pearl oyster, is a shell lining, but also a kind of protective shield of organic animals.

Pearl is an ancient organic gem, mainly produced in the pearl shellfish and mother-of-pearl mollusks; Due to the endocrine action of a protective formation, containing calcium carbonate mineral (aragonite) beads, is a large number of tiny aragonite crystals collection.

Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 2. The difference production process

Mother-of-pearl and pearl production process is completely different. Mother-of-pearl shells produce pearls for their protection. When their interior is invaded by a foreign body (such as sand or parasites), the shell begins to release some substances to cover the foreign body so that it can no longer cause harm to the shell. This is known as the mother-of-pearl’s self-defense mechanism.

Among the substances released by the shell, the main components are calcium and keratin. These two substances are distributed throughout the shell and can gradually settle down to form pearls while helping the shell to protect itself. These deposits precipitated by the mother-of-pearl shell, along with the cyst, eventually form a complete pearl.

The process of forming a pearl in a mother-of-pearl shell is so complex that the chances of a pearl forming are very small. According to expert estimates, for every 10,000 mother-of-pearl, only one can form pearls.

Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 3. Difference formation

Mother-of-pearl and pearl formation also have obvious differences. Mother-of-pearl shell is black or grey, even after the formation of pearls, mother-of-pearl shell will also appear spots or black stripes.

This is because the outer and inner rings and the lower epidermal layer of the mother-of-pearl are hardened and worn away during the formation of the pearl.

However, because mother-of-pearl shells keep growing, pearls can vary in size. In contrast, pearls are perfectly round and glow pink, white, gold, or black.

Most pearls are round because they are affected by the internal structure of the shell as they develop in the shell.

Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 4. The different composition

The composition of mother-of-pearl is ray split ridge mussel shells, containing more than 90% calcium carbonate, and organic matter about 0.34%; still contains a small amount of magnesium, iron, silicate, sulfate, phosphate, and chloride.

After calcination, carbonate decomposition produces calcium oxide, etc., and organic matter is destroyed.

Pearl’s main body for calcium carbonate CaCO3 (about 82 to 86%), the mineral name for aragonite (also known as aragonite), pearl keratin is 10 to 14%, and water is 2%.

Pearls grow in seawater in the pearl mussels, Pearl mussels grow in an environment where there are a lot of essences of the material, and there are also a lot of dirty things, but the clam can be dirty things excluded, and the essence of the beads.

Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 5. Different places of origin

Mother-of-pearl origin is distributed around the world, but the main places of origin in China, Japan, the South Seas, Tahiti, and so on.

China’s main producing areas are in the coastal areas of Guangdong and Guangxi, especially the Beibu Gulf area of the South China Sea. The pearls produced there are large, round, lustrous, and dazzling.

Pearl origin distribution area for the Persian Gulf region, Sri Lanka, the South China Sea region, 80% of the world’s freshwater pearls from China.

Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 6. The medical role is different

Mother-of-pearl is a traditional Chinese medicine, that calms the liver and submerges the yang, tranquilizing the mind, and calming the eyes.

Pearl extracts of isolated rabbit intestines have an inhibitory effect; usually used as medicine, jewelry, and cosmetics raw materials.

Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl 7. Difference in value and use

Art-Nacre-Inc-Pearl-vs.-Mother-of-Pearl-The-Main-Difference-Between-Mother-of-pearl-and-Pearls
Art-Nacre-Inc-Pearl-vs.-Mother-of-Pearl-The-Main-Difference-Between-Mother-of-pearl-and-Pearls

Because not all shells can produce pearls, the preciousness of pearls is much higher than mother-of-pearl, which results in the value of the two are not the same, so the production of crafts, often pearls is much higher.

Mother-of-pearl is mainly noted because it can be used as a source of natural pearls. Mother-of-pearl shells that are dedicated to the presence or absence of pearls have usually reached the end of their life cycle.

In contrast, pearls are valued for their beauty and uniqueness. They are often used in areas such as jewelry, ornaments, and decorations. The larger, more beautiful, and perfect a pearl is, the more valuable it is.

The most expensive pearl in the world is the “Chernobyl”, weighing 23.5 carats and worth $50 million.

Mother-of-pearl and pearls can be seen as an interrelated pair, but they are still very different in terms of process, formation, and value. For those who want to learn more about shellfish and gemstones, delving into these details will allow them to learn more about this fascinating part of the world.

Besides this Pearl vs. Mother-of-Pearl, 7 Main Differences Revealed article, you may also be interested in the below articles.

How Pearls Are Made

19 Different Types of Pearls

16 Different Types of Mosaic Tiles

Tahitian Pearl vs. South Sea Pearl

Akoya vs. South Sea Pearl, 9 Differences Between Them

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest