After reading this article, you will know what is Mother-of-Pearl and where does it from. What is mother-of-pearl used for? what is mother-of-pearl value?
What is mother-of-pearl called?
Mother-of-Pearl meaning
Nacre or Mother-of-Pearl, also known by its academic name, is an iridescent substance that forms inside the shells of many mollusks, such as mussels and pearl oysters.
As a defense mechanism, mollusks secrete pearls to ward off irritants and abrasions that enter the shell. Layers of pearls then form along the surface of the shell, creating the shiny, iridescent surface known as mother-of-pearl.
What is mother-of-pearl made of?
Mother-of-pearl is an organic-inorganic composite material made from aragonite (a type of calcium carbonate), from which pearls are also made, making them strong, resilient, and iridescent.
Mother-of-pearl material is generally found in the outer layer of pearls and in the inner layers of the shells of pearl oysters or freshwater pearl mollusks; it is also found in the inner layers of the shells of many other mollusks, such as the marine gastropods Haliotidae, Trochidae and Turbinidae.
What is mother-of-pearl history?
Mother-of-pearl long history can be traced back to ancient times, in ancient Oriental China, has called the ancient Oriental pearl of beauty of reputation. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, emperors and concubines, etc. The head decoration with a variety of mother-of-pearl made of ornaments, highlighting their identity and noble status.
Looking back at the history of the world’s jewelry, the pearl is undoubtedly one of the most brilliant. The 16th century is the golden age of European jewelry processing technology, in the history of Western jewelry art, this period is also known as the “mother-pf-pearl era”.
Mother-of-pearl was most popular in the 19th century for card cases, snuff boxes, and ink bottles, but many cultures used mother-of-pearl as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
In ancient times, pearls represented power and status in addition to symbolizing female purity. It is said to have been used primarily by the ruling class in India and China.
Fragments have even been found in ancient Egyptian pyramids and tombs dating back to 4200 BC. Back then, it was used for many of the same purposes as it is today, and different countries were known for using it in different ways.
In Bethlehem, for example, artisans carved religious monuments out of mother-of-pearl, while in the Ottoman Empire it was used in architecture and inlay, mainly in the studded craft of lacquer. In the Victorian era, it became popular for buttons and as an embellishment for clothing. It was also used on spoons for household utensils.
Today, mother-of-pearl is most often found on watch dials, but some jewelry designers use this gorgeous iridescent material to create beautiful fine jewelry.
Most often found as a decorative inlay on watch dials or in jewelry, its soft texture allows it to be carved, further enhancing its uniqueness.
where is mother-of-pearl found?
Mother-of-pearl comes from the serene and beautiful ocean, nestled inside the shells of mollusks. Most commonly, they are found coating the inside of oysters’ shells. Interestingly, the mother-of-pearl is a mineral. Mollusks produce these minerals inside of their shells to keep their little homes safe from harm.
Mother-of-pearl vs. Pearl
Both mother-of-pearl and pearl gemstones are made of nacre, but mother-of-pearl refers specifically to the nacre-coated inner shell of the mollusk. Pearls, on the other hand, are made completely out of nacre.
What is the difference between mother-of-pearl and pearl?
Although both pearls and mother-of-pearl are found in the shells of mollusks, the latter is much more common than natural pearls.
While all mollusks that produce pearls have a shell in which they can be found, not all mollusks create pearls.
Due to their rarity, pearls are artificially cultured to meet market demand. This is not the case with mother-of-pearl, which is more widely available in nature.
The value of mother-of-pearl is much lower than that of natural pearls because both are equivalent to two different stones and although both are made from the same materials and from the same organisms, there are many differences in their formation and value.
Mother-of-Pearl vs Pearl location:
Mother-of-pearls are located in the inner layers of the shell, whereas pearls are usually formed within the tissues of living organisms. The pearl forms around the nucleus, or bead, which helps it to form a spherical shape.
Mother-of-pearl vs pearl shape:
The typical shape of a pearl is spherical, with some pearls forming random or baroque shapes. Mother-of-pearl is very large and shell-shaped. When designing jewelry, designers can use mother-of-pearl in many ways depending on its size, which makes it more versatile than pearls.
Mother-of-Pearl vs Pearl value:
Pearls have always been more valuable than mother of pearls because of their rarity.
Mother-of-Pearl vs Pearl history:
Throughout history, pearls have been characterized by royalty and wealth. Pearls have also been immortalized in art and stories. Part of this allure is due to the pearl’s unique shape, making it easily recognizable.
What is mother-of-pearl made from?
The composition of mother-of-pearl is ray-fractured ridge mussel shells, containing more than 90% calcium carbonate, and organic matter of about 0.34%; still contains a small amount of magnesium, iron, silicate, sulfate, phosphate, and chloride.
After calcination, the carbonate decomposes, producing calcium oxide, etc., and the organic matter is destroyed.
What color is mother-of-pearl?
What are the colors of mother-of-pearl?
Like pearls, mother-of-pearl can be white, gray, silver, gold, blue, green, bronze, pink, red, brown, purple, black, or colored. The most beautiful mother-of-pearl colors are made from abalone. These have iridescent colors and vibrant purples, blues, and greens and are highly prized.
The iridescence of mother-of-pearl is called “directional” and is thought to be caused by light interference (the interaction of light of similar origin or frequency) and dispersion (splitting the light into its respective colors).
What is mother-of-pearl value?
Value and usefulness of mother-of-pearl
Mother-of-pearl jewelry will always hold its value, but for mother-of-pearl, that’s only one aspect of the equation, as there are many uses for its uniqueness as the perfect choice for jewelry, fashionable crafts, and beautiful decorations.
Mother-of-Pearl Jewelry
Mother-of-Pearl necklaces, Mother-of-Pearl earrings, Mother-of-Pearl rings, Mother-of-Pearl bracelets, etc. are founded on Art Nacre Inc.
Mother of Pearl is versatile, inexpensive, and plentiful, making it ideal for jewelry. It is used in common household trinkets such as jewelry plates, watch dials, cell phone cases, buttons, guitar parts, fishing tools, caviar spoons, and of course, jewelry.
Mother-of-Pearl Spoons
Many types of Mother-of-Pearl caviar spoons are available at Art Nacre Inc
Mother-of-pearl shell decoration is not simply processing the material, but finding ways to integrate the color, texture, and characteristics of shells into every aspect of the home.
Mother-of-pearl is also used in everyday life in tableware, delicate eaters use spoons with a pearl-like texture to eat caviar, eat ice cream, make tea cleaning tools, etc. Mother-of-pearl spoons are small spoons made from a kind of natural seashells, specially used to hold and eat caviar.
Of course, because of its natural shell material, and variety of natural characteristics, later by the wisdom of the people slowly used it in more places, and made a set of tableware with shells. Forks, and spoons, each has its own use, placed on the table, a unique flavor.
On top of architectural furniture decoration, it can be made into wallpaper sheets, pearl shell mosaic tiles, as well as conch work, carvings, and more.
Mother-of-Pearl Sheets
Abalone Sheets, Awabi Mother-of-Pearl Sheets, Donkey Ear Shell Sheets, and Other Sheets of Mother-of-Pearl are available at Art Nacre Inc.
Mother-of-pearl is not only used for jewelry but in addition to luxury jewelry, mother-of-pearl is also used in decorative arts, architecture, fashion, and even musical instruments. Layered pearls are sometimes used to create beautiful mosaics to cover walls, ceilings, or furniture.
Mother-of-pearl shell mosaic tiles, from the original ancient shell mosaics to the current colorful shell products, designers wantonly wield inspiration, more creations on the mosaic in the colorful world, Pearl shell is no longer just limited to wall decorations, we produce more products, like shell mosaic tiles, shell appliqués, shell furniture, including shell stools tables and chairs.
Mother-of-Pearl Mosaic Tiles
Art Nacre Inc provides a wide range of different mosaic tiles in mother-of-pearl collections, including square, hexagon, subway, penny round, herringbone, fish scale, and other patterns.
Mother-of-pearl also protects mullocks from infections and reduces irritation caused by organic substances that enter the shell, calcium and bone-building, anti-allergy, and liver protection.
What is the mother-of-pearl used for?
1) Mother of Pearl is one of the oldest forms of gemstones and is collectible
Precious mother-of-pearl is one of the oldest forms of gemstones, and inside some museums, there is a piece of vintage mother-of-pearl jewelry that collectors love.
One of the oldest known mother-of-pearl jewelry was found at a Cro-Magnon site dating back to about 5000 BC.
Archaeological digs in China, India, Egypt, and Africa have uncovered many items made from mother-of-pearl, including some of the earliest forms of currency.
2) Mother-of-pearl is widely used in a variety of jewelry
Top-quality mother-of-pearl is often used to make modern jewelry and applied in big-name jewelry. Mother-of-pearl is a naturally pure and unique material that is the mother of pearl.
Due to its unique luster, mother-of-pearl is often used as a jewelry material and watch dial material, and most of the time it is used in jewelry, mostly in the form of white butterfly shells, which are very popular for their natural beauty.
Mother-of-pearl is used in a variety of design elements such as crosses, hearts, triangles, rectangles, four-leaf clovers, and some other shapes, which are often added to designer jewelry.
Earrings, brooches, necklaces, and pendants are common, and despite the fragility of the precious mother-of-pearl shell, it is often used in rings, bracelets, cufflinks, and shirt studs.
Beautifully carved pieces made from large pieces of mother-of-pearl usually fetch relatively good prices, as do antique jewelry and other items.
In fashion design, mother-of-pearl is usually made into mother-of-pearl buttons, to bring a sense of high fashion, more bright and shiny.
Mother-of-pearl buttons are a type of shell button. However, its material comes from a composite material.
Mother-of-pearl is made from the shells of some mollusks. For example, oyster shell buttons. In addition, Mother-of-pearl buttons are very strong. And it has a very flat surface with a bright shine. And many high-end silk clothing brands and suit brands prefer MOP Buttons. Because it can enhance brand awareness and quality. In addition, they have a beautiful appearance and make the garment elegant.
Mother of pearl crushed pieces are made as some ornaments in offices and fish tanks, which serve as aquascapes and make them colorful.
Mother-of-pearl is also a common Chinese medicine, patients take mother-of-pearl, is a very good Chinese medicine efficacy. It is salty and cold in nature and belongs to the liver and heart meridians. It can be used to treat dizziness, tinnitus, palpitations, insomnia, and other symptoms.
What does mother-of-pearl represent?
Mother-of-pearl is commonly believed to attract prosperity and is often used in mystical work and lore to heighten intuition, psychic sensitivity, and imagination. It is believed that the mother-of-pearl shell offers soothing, motherly protection from negative energy and love.
As the nurturer of pearls, mother-of-pearl is low-key and quiet, but from its fine lines, we can understand the passage of time; in its charming color, we will feel the unique temperament of the deep valley orchid. The variety of natural shapes brings different meanings to people’s lives.
- Mother of Pearl is considered a protective stone that brings healing power. It relaxes and soothes the mind, and by holding or wearing Mother of Pearl you will instantly feel calmed and soothed.
- Mother of Pearl is believed to stimulate imagination and creativity, as well as sensitivity. It is believed to help bring emotional balance and enhance harmony between the emotional, spiritual, and physical worlds.
- In Feng Shui, the Mother of Pearl is considered a symbol of wealth and good fortune. Wearing a mother-of-pearl is believed to bring good luck. Therefore, Mother of Pearl gifts are considered to be extremely auspicious.
- In astrology, Mother of Pearl is regarded as another June birthstone.
- Mother of Pearl is a symbol of status and wealth, and in ancient times it was worn by the ruling class as a sign of their status and worth.
- The mother-of-pearl cross is a symbol that has been around since ancient times, hence the colorful meaning of the cross necklace.
It first represented the Babylonian sun god, a symbol of light. In addition, the cross also represents the Tree of Life, a fertility symbol. It is the symbol of present-day Christianity and Catholicism, representing love and salvation.
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