The Pinctada maxima or the White Mother of-Pearl is the largest pearl oyster species that grows up to 20-30cm in diameter.
What is a Pinctada Maxima?
Introduction of Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl
Pinctada Maxima Also known as the large mother-of-pearl shell and the white lip shell, the white mother-of-pearl shell is a large pearly shell known as a rare treasure and is a member of the pearly shell family Pinctadaidae. Like a pearl, this magnificent underwater organism naturally comes in a range of colors.
Pinctada Maxima comes in white, ivory, silver, grey, green, blue, yellow, bronze, pink, and even black. With its variety, people are looking to explore it further, so let’s learn more about the Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl Shell.
Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl Appearance
The shell of the White Mother of Pearl Shell is very firm and thick, the left shell is slightly raised, while the right shell is more flattened. The front ear is protruding, while the back ear is rounded and blunt.
The color of the shell is brownish brown, and the scales at the top of the shell are very tightly packed, while the scales at the back edge of the shell are freer.
The inside of the shell is a thick, silvery-white layer of pearls. The edges are beautifully horny in golden or yellowish brown. The body parts of the white Mother-of-Pearl shell are larger.
The anterior shell-closing muscles have long since degenerated, and the posterior shell-closing muscles are located at the back of the body and are very well developed. The anus is tongue-shaped with a broader rounded end.
What is the main chemical composition of the pearl oyster white lip shell?
Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl shell is a kind of marine mollusk, mainly produced in the coastal areas of the East Sea and the South Sea. It is mainly composed of protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, vitamins, and other chemical components.
Among them, the protein content is the highest, which can reach 20-30 percent, the fat content is about 1-2 percent, the carbohydrate content is about 1-2 percent, and the mineral content is about 3-4 percent.
White Mother-of-Pearl shell also contains a large amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and many other vitamins, which are good for human health.
Economic Value of Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl
The economic value of the white mother-of-pearl shell is very high, and it can be said that the whole body is a treasure. Its meat is very tasty and nutritious, which is known as a good feast.
The color and shape of its shell are also unique, the pearl layer is very thick and the luster is beautiful, It is a very good raw material for crafts, and it can be used to carve all kinds of exquisite ornamental crafts.
Besides, its shell is also a kind of medicine raw material, so it is very popular in the international market.
The most precious thing about white Mother-of-Pearl shells is that the pearls cultivated from them are not only large in size but also good in color, which are both valuable decorations and medicinal herbs and are popular in both domestic and international pearl markets.
There is a pearl cultivated using a white Mother-of-Pearl shell, weighing 15 grams, the size of 30 mm x 25 mm, known as the king of pearls. For this reason, the white mother-of-pearl shell is known as the Jewel of Pearls.
Advantages of Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl
The color and shape of the pearl oyster’s white lip shell are unique, and the pearls are thick and lustrous, making it an excellent raw material for crafts.
Disadvantages of Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl
It is too difficult to breed in captivity. It is basically impossible to breed the White Mother-of-Pearl Scallop in captivity, and it is difficult to obtain it because of its low production.
Growth and reproduction of Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl
White White Mother-of-Pearl Shell is a dioecious animal, the breeding season is from May to October every year, the eggs laid by female shells are round in shape, with a diameter of 58-60 microns, and will hatch into small white Mother-of-Pearl shells only after 18-36 days.
The white White Mother-of-Pearl shell is a filter feeder, mainly feeding on algae, but also eating organic debris, bivalve larvae, ventral surface larvae, and other protozoa.
The distribution range of Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl
Globally, the white mother-of-pearl shell is only found in tropical or subtropical waters.
Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago country, and Australia, the world’s third largest fishing area, both have excellent and naturally unpolluted seawater environments. They are also good places for mother-of-pearl to thrive.
Tahitian mother-of-pearl is produced in Tahiti, one of the French Polynesian Society Islands in the central part of the South Pacific Ocean. Since Tahiti’s unique black-lip shell is the mother of the world-famous black pearl, it has become one of the best mother-of-pearl materials.
Mother-of-Pearl Materials
Art Nacre Inc Supplies Mother-of-Pearl Materials with White, Black, Golden, Green, Red, Blue, Grey, Ivory Colors, etc. And Many Types of Finished Products For Your Best Choice.
The mother-of-pearl of Japan’s famous Akoya pearls, the marsupial shell, originates from the Soto Inland Sea in the Mie, Yumoto, and Ehime prefectures in Japan, and the mother of pearl from this area is often used as the first choice for mother-of-pearl.
White Mother-of-pearl Shell Crafts
Compared to pearls, pearl oyster white lip shells are actually more widely used, they are strong and durable and have been used for thousands of years in everything from jewelry design to architectural design.
The art of shell carving is characterized by the use of different materials and shapes, brilliant brilliance, and exquisite craftsmanship.
The unique spiral shape of natural shells, and the texture, color, and luster of the outer and inner layers provide a rich artistic expression for shell carving.
On the basis of giving full play to natural beauty, shell carving uses techniques such as relief, round carving, shallow carving, flat paste, inlay, etc., so that the works are not only vivid and natural but also appropriate and intriguing, so as to achieve a perfect artistic effect.
At the same time can also be processed into a white mother-of-pearl shell mosaic, as a high-grade background decorative material.
Mother-of-Pearl Shell Mosaic Tiles
All Patterns and Colors of the Mother-of-pearl Shell Mosaic Tiles are Available at Art Nacre Inc.
What are the therapeutic effects of the White Lip Shell?
The pearl oyster white lip shell is a stress relieving stone; relaxing, soothing, and calming. Mother-of-pearl stimulates our intuition, imagination, sensitivity, and adaptability. It helps our emotions become more harmonious and balanced. Calms and soothes feelings of temper or fear.
Besides this Pinctada Maxima – White Mother-of-Pearl article, you may also be interested in the below articles.
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