A Gift from The Sea: All You Need To Know About Mother Of Pearl and Its Use in Jewelry

We all know and love pearls, don’t we? They are beautiful and glorious and spell luxury and finesse. Some may call pearls old-fashioned or boring, but usually, it’s just the lack of knowledge on how to style them properly. Pearls are timeless and always deserve a spot in your jewelry wardrobe, be it a classic string of pearls or a sleek and delicate engagement ring. 

But wait a minute, do you know about the close pearls’ relative, their true sibling? We talk about the mother of pearl, or nacre, in scholarly terms. This material is as beautiful and elegant as pearls, but it also costs less and is more versatile, in certain aspects. That's why we are sure you need to know more about this special jewelry material - and you just have to own some amazing jewelry with the mother of pearl!

Mother of Pearl: What Is It?

Mother of pearl is not technically the ‘mother’ of pearl but rather its twin. The mollusks that produce pearls usually have a wonderful pearlescent lining inside their shells, as if pearls have been turned into thin film and used to decorate the interior. Even mollusks that don’t create pearls can have this refined lining to their ‘houses,’ and there’s a strong reason for it. 

Soft dwellers of shells must protect themselves from unwanted ‘guests’ and other creatures that might want to snack on them. Hence, mollusks produce nacre to fortify their dwelling, making it sturdier and safer layer by layer. 

By the way, that's how pearls are formed: when a small irritant finds its way inside the shell, a mollusk produces nacre and seals that irritant inside a firm shining cocoon. Now the irritant is harmless to the soft mollusk and a wonderful gift of nature - a pearl - is born. 

What is nacre, technically? This substance has a very interesting mosaic-like structure responsible for unforgettable iridescence and pearly coloring. A mollusk creates it from proteins, usually conchiolin, and tiny mineral platelets that are stacked in irregular patterns. Silky protein fills the gaps between platelets and becomes semi-transparent when drying. So when the light hits the nacre, it goes through layers of proteins, reflects against the stacks of platelets, and creates this amazing rainbow-like effect. 

Yes, it sounds rather complicated, but many materials created by nature are practically miracles, and nacre is definitely one of them.

Thousands of Years, Thousands of Miles: History of Mother of Pearl

Mollusks have been creating and perfecting this material for many thousands of years. Excavated soil and rock samples include fossilized nacre in areas where previously there was a river or even a part of the seabed. 

People were obviously mesmerized by the beauty of the mother of pearl from day one since archeologists sometimes find items decorated with mother of pearl as old as 2,500 B.C. Use of this material was popular everywhere where people could access fresh-water or salt-water shells, so jewelry and household items with nacre are found by archeologists across India, China, Egypt, and both Americas. 

And as soon as Marco Polo made his groundbreaking voyage to India in 1292, furniture, musical instruments, accessories, and jewelry decorated with mother of pearl became all the rage in Europe. 

Later on, the fashion for mother of pearl was so big that one of the main import articles from China and other Asian countries was furniture and elegant caskets and sewing boxes richly inlaid with intricate mother of pearl designs. 

Even today, when one sees a modern black lacquer box inlaid with pearly ornamentation it’s hard not to start oohing and aahing over its elegance and stylishness. This material is as timeless and universal as pearls, so it’s not a trend, it’s the definition of classics.

Mother of Pearl and Pearl: Are They Related?

You may wonder if the mother of pearl is a real pearl, considering its origin and all. But let’s reframe the question: how is the mother of pearl related to pearls? They are all made of the same natural material - nacre. But pearls are separate objects found nested inside the mollusk, and the mother of pearl is the flat lining of the shell. They are made of the real material created by mollusks, but they are not the same in value, quality, and usage.

So to avoid confusion, always call a pearl a pearl and mother of pearl - mother of pearl, correspondingly. Real pearl engagement rings and rings made of mother of pearl are different in style and price, and each variety is great on its own terms. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  

The Differences between Mother of Pearl and Pearls

Good quality pearls are expected to be round (except baroque pearls), and the most expensive pearls should have a perfect spherical shape and flawless shiny surface. Good pearls are rare, and it may take years to collect enough pearls to make a perfect necklace or a pair of flawless earrings. Hence high prices and an agitated hunt for top-quality pearls.  

Mother of pearl can vary in smoothness, relief, thickness, and coloring. When cut out from the shell, the side facets (the cut sides) and the backside of the piece may be stripy and not that shiny, and the inside shell surface will be pearly and beautiful. That's why mother of pearl is perfect for object decoration: it is already flat, available in large pieces, is rather easy to work with, and imperfect areas can be hidden inside the object. So only the beautiful iridescent surface will please the eye. Its pricing is also more accessible and pleases your wallet just as its look pleases your eye. 

Is Mother of Pearl a Real Precious Stone?

Gems or precious stones are usually minerals found in rock or soil deposits, like diamonds or sapphires. They also cost a lot and are highly cherished. From this viewpoint, a pearl is an organic gem (created by a living creature), and yes, it is highly valued and can cost a fortune. 

Mother of pearl is more widespread and accessible, so although created from the same substance, it is considered semi-precious material. Yet it is also held in high esteem, loved by nobility and all kinds of upscale shoppers and designers, and is regularly used for fine jewelry and watches, not to mention other items. 

Mother of Pearl: the Precious Material For Exquisite Things

Availability, beauty, sufficient sturdiness, and ease of processing make mother of pearl an excellent material for various uses, jewelry making included. 

Thick-layered mother or pearl is perfect for jewelry because the pieces can be shaped into semi-spheres or cabochons, polished, and set into rings, earrings, and pendants. The thickness of the material allows for sculptural work and experimentation. The chunky segments can be carved into intricate designs, from flowers and leaves to faces and cameos. 

Thinner varieties of mother of pearl can be turned into dainty ornaments or used for micromosaic. The delicate pearlescent shine will enhance any possible design. Pearly buttons immediately elevate the look of any basic shirt, and haute couture houses know it pretty well. 

However, jewelry is not the sole destination of this aquatic gift. Elegant watches can have faces inlaid with mother of pearl, while trinket boxes, upscale hand mirrors, and personal care sets can feature delicate mother of pearl elements. 

Furthermore, mother of pearl is one of the first choices for the decoration of top-class interior accessories, furniture, expensive storage boxes, musical instruments, pens, smoking pipes, and whatnot. 

Spiritual Meaning of Mother of Pearl

Alongside its aesthetic value, the mother of pearl has some spiritual and healing properties that you should know as well. 

First and foremost, it is a great tool of protection against bad energies, especially for women. Just imagine how this material shields a mollusk against harm and turns pests into pearls, and you get the idea behind it.

Mother of pearl is also believed to be beneficial for female health, from mental well-being to improving hormonal health. As a precious gift of water, this material is sometimes associated with water deities, that's why it’s endowed with cleansing and calming properties. Its vibration is said to be similar to the gentle murmuring of clean springs and light sea waves, so its overall energy is soothing and healing.  

But the mother of pearl is not only about healing. It’s also about improving intuition, clarity of mind, and ability to make the right decisions. Mother of pearl gives strength and durability to a shell, that's why you also can get a gentle boost of strength and confidence right when you need it. Just don’t forget to put on this piece of jewelry. 

Pricing of Mother of Pearl Jewelry and Pearl Jewelry: Why the Difference

As we said, the costs of mother of pearl are more affordable than the costs of good quality pearls, so here’s some data for comparison. A ring with a single freshwater pearl will cost around $150 or a bit more, depending on the setting material. Custom pearl engagement rings from independent jewelers can cost between $200 and $700 depending on the design and size of the pearl. The priciest and the most wonderful pearls - Tahitian - can cost $10,000 or $15,000 if made into a necklace. And we are not even talking about legendary pearls like La Peregrina that can cost millions due to their historical provenance and outstanding size and beauty. 

Fortunately, you can afford an amazing piece of jewelry even of a chunky size if you opt for mother of pearl. A sleek pendant set in gold will cost around $100, and the price for a dainty ring with mother of pearl inlays will be $300 - $500. Of course, it all depends on the metals used and the complexity of the design, but the mother of pearl guarantees you the wow factor that won’t make you broke. 

Advantages and Costs Of Custom Pearl Engagement Rings

Since we are exploring pearls and mother of pearl, let’s pause for a moment. We’ve said that the mother of pear is more versatile than pearls, but with a caveat. Both precious materials are wonderful for engagement rings, and so we want to attract your attention to pearl engagement rings now. 

They have their pros and cons, for sure. But the pricing brackets for dainty - custom-made, mind you - bands with a pearl are their big plus. Slim rings made of gold or gold-plated silver will cost around $300 - $750, and the design will feature not only a beautiful pearl but also a halo or some other interesting accent stones arrangement. 

What are the advantages of this type of jewelry? Well, pearl rings are universal in styling and will go with everything. They are elegant in a unique way. Finally, pearls are only gaining traction in the engagement ring fashion, so your ring will really stand out. Finally, imagine owning one of vintage pearl engagement rings that just spell luxury and finesse. Vintage - or vintage-styled - rings are always elaborately designed and crafted, so it’s easy to tell them apart from contemporary styles. This ring will be the crown of your jewelry collection.

On the flip side, pearls need a bit more care in wear, but so do many other popular stones like opals and even glorious emeralds. 

Is It Ok to Shower With Mother of Pearl Jewelry On?

We do not recommend taking a shower wearing your mother of pearl jewelry, as well as jewelry with pearls or other precious stones. Nacre is organic and it can be negatively impacted by chemical ingredients of shower gels and creams, soaps, and other cosmetic agents. Mother of pearl can lose its luster and even turn yellowish if regularly impacted by chemicals and hot water. So place your jewelry in a cute box or a fashionable catch-all bowl strategically stationed in the bathroom while you shower or take a relaxing bath. You can put it on again after pampering yourself. 

Is It a Smart Move to Buy Mother of Pearl Jewelry?

Absolutely yes. As said, this jewelry is timeless and highly versatile (if the style is selected carefully). More laid-back and universal styles that can fit into various jewelry combinations will serve you long and well. Mother of pearl is perfect for wearing alone and for creating mixes with other stones. Soft milky luster will look amazing next to any colored gem without getting lost or overpowering its neighbor. 

If you don’t know where to begin, start your journey with YourAsteria. The dainty rings with pearly centerpieces custom-made to your taste will be a great addition to your jewelry collection or a special day gift. Whether you want your pearl engagement rings gold or silver-cast, YourAsteria will come up with the design that matches your vision and will create a perfect ring for you. 

Don’t let this chance to get a wonderful piece just pass by!