Known for its iridescent sheen andlustrous glow, mother of pearl is a highly coveted organic material. Often mistaken for a gemstone, its natural beauty and elegance make it a popular choice in jewellery and decorative design.
Mother of pearl is prized for its opaline gleam, which reflects a spectrum of colours that change depending on the angle and quality of light. Lightweight yet exceptionally strong, mother of pearl is made of the same material as actual pearls but isn’t classified in the same way.
Read on to find out more about this pearlescent favourite.
What is mother of pearl?
If you’ve been on sun-soaked holidays to the Mediterranean and beyond, you’ll no doubt have seen piles of mollusc shells with opalescent interiors on sale in beachside boutiques.
That gleaming, iridescent material is what’s known as mother of pearl. Far more abundant than actual pearls, mother of pearl is nonetheless made of the same material as pearls – specifically, of nacre.
Nacre is a composite material made of tiny interlocking plates of aragonite – a form of calcium carbonate. This aragonite is arranged in layers with conchiolin – a flexible silk-like protein. It’s this unique structure and combination of minerals that gives both mother of pearl and pearls their renowned strength.
Nacre is formed when an irritant like a piece of coral or grit enters the shell of both freshwater and saltwater molluscs such as oysters, mussels or even abalones. The mollusc responds to this irritant by producing epithelial cells, which deposit concentric layers of nacre around the irritant. This nacre is what constitutes opalescent mother of pearl.
An essential protective coating
Essentially, mother of pearl is the protective coating produced by a mollusc in response to the presence of an irritant. If a mollusc doesn’t respond by producing nacre as a defence against this irritant, it will die.
The genesis of mother of pearl explains its name. Although mother of pearl isn’t technically definable as the ‘mother’ of any pearl, no pearl would be produced without mother of pearl. The mother is like the ‘starter’.
The unique structure of the nacre determines the colours of the mother of pearl produced by each mollusc. As such, this gem comes in a range of opalescent tones, including cooler shades like white, silver and blue to warmer colours like pink, gold and even green.
Mother of pearl’s history
Mother of pearl has long been prized in different cultures around the world and is consistently a favourite royal gemstone.
Nacre inlay has featured in everything from jewellery and clothing to furniture, buildings and even musical instruments across multiple countries – dating back as far as 4200 BC.
TheAncient Egyptians used mother of pearl in pyramids and tombs, the Chinese Ming dynasty privileged the gem, and it was esteemed and harvested in India, amongst other cultures.
Pearls have been afavourite of English royalty since at leastthe Elizabethan Age, and it was from the Renaissance that mother of pearl became coveted by European aristocracy and royalty.
Today, the production of mother of pearl is overseen by theConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
How to care for mother of pearl
Mother of pearl should becared for in the same manner as pearls themselves.
Although nacre is a naturally strong material, it’s stillvulnerable to chemical erosion by substances including acids, alcohol and beauty products like self-tan.
Invest inhigh-quality pearl storage to prevent damage to both your pearls and mother of pearl jewellery.
You can always book apersonal consultation with us if you want your pearls or mother of pearl professionally cleaned. Regular maintenance of your pearls and mother of pearl jewellery will keep it looking its best for years to come.
4 mother of pearl inspired jewellery ideas
Coleman Douglas Pearls has plenty of mother of pearl inspired jewellery to reflect your natural beauty.
Blue pearls
Perhaps some of the best-known tones of mother of pearl are oceanic blues. Choose a matching set like ourblue Tahitian pearl, diamond and moonstone earrings worn alongsidethe same pendant to celebrate these radiant shades. You could always match with your partner in acomplementary tie pin, too.
Alternatively, take inspiration from our architectural designs. Ourblue-green Mabe pearl and green tsavorite yellow gold earrings were crafted to be as exact in design as any architect’s drawing. You could also celebrate the Art Deco style of the Great Gatsby with either ourwhite freshwater pearl and aquamarine orgrey freshwater pearl and iolite earrings.
Pink pearls
Frompink pearl bracelets topink pearl necklaces, we’ve got pearls in rose, blush, and peachy pink tones.
Drape apink pearl lariat like ourpink freshwater design down the back of an open-back dress for a dramatic evening look. Pair withpink pearl stud earrings and a low chignon for an elegant aesthetic.
Alternatively, wear apink pearl pendant as an everyday design. Ourpink freshwater pearl ‘simple’ silver pendant will take you from morning to evening seamlessly, and pairs well with ourpink freshwater pearl silver hoop earrings.
Purple pearls
Coming in tones including violet and aubergine,Tahitian pearl jewellery emulates the purple tones of mother of pearl.
Wear a matching set like ourblack Tahitian pearl and amethyst ‘Gatsby’ pendant with ourTahitian pearl ‘Gatsby’ earrings.
Alternatively, if you like designs that complement but don’t quite match each other, why not pair ourTahitian pearl and diamond huggies with ourblack Tahitian pearl and rainbow moonstone ‘tsarina’ choker? Embellished without being overstated, these designs combine pearls and precious stones for an eye-catching effect.
Find Your perfect pearls with expert guidance
Whether you're drawn to the shimmering tones of mother of pearl or looking for a custom pearl jewellery piece, our expertise ensures you’ll find the perfect match.
🔹Book a Personal Consultation – Unsure which pearls suit you best? Our expert team will guide you in choosing the perfect mother of pearl or pearl jewellery to compliment your features, style and occasion.
🔹Create Your Own Bespoke Design – Elevate your jewellery collection with a custom-crafted piece. From selecting the finest pearls to designing a unique treasure, we’ll bring your vision to life.
Book a consultation and let us help you find or create a piece that will be cherished for generations.
