mother-of-pearl
Discover everything you need to know about mother-of-pearl: its origin, its material, its creation, its virtues, its technical characteristics and its colours...
Mother-of-pearl is a white, smooth and iridescent organic deposit covering the inside of the shells of certain living molluscs. When a foreign body lodges itself between the shells of bivalve molluscs, the mother-of-pearl covers it to soothe the irritation it causes, thus creating a pearl. A true spectacle of the work of nature and the marine world, which arouses the desires of all shellfish and mother-of-pearl enthusiasts.
What is mother-of-pearl?
The color of a natural ruby encompasses all shades of red, but its most sought-after hue is a pure red with a hint of blue, known as "pigeon's blood." True products of nature, natural rubies are elegant and refined stones.
Naturally, inclusions that are too large or too numerous affect the color and appearance of the ruby, which generally depreciates the value of the stone, with the exception of rutile inclusions which enhance it. Indeed, inclusions of rutile needles give the ruby, like sappires, soft reflections called "silks." Depending on their orientation within the stone, these inclusions produce either a chatoyancy, a luminous phenomenon reminiscent of a cat's eye slit pupil (the ruby is then called a "cat's eye"), or an asterism effect, a luminous phenomenon that forms a star or a cross on the surface of the stone (the ruby is then called a "star ruby").
Finally, while a few small inclusions do not impact the price of natural rubies, fractures that may be present within the stone affect its durability and therefore its value.
**What is the role of mother-of-pearl throughout history?**
Archaeologists eager for discoveries have uncovered prehistoric adornments and objects made of mother-of-pearl shells.
However, while pearls are the subject of numerous historical accounts and testimonies, this is not the case for mother-of-pearl before the Italian Renaissance, when thick shells with two different colors of nacre layers were used to carve cameos, known as shell cameos. This trend among high society was imported into France during the Italian Wars with Francis I, who brought in famous Italian engravers such as Matteo dal Nassaro, then appointed director of the Mints.
But if only the mother-of-pearl of shells (as well as fine pearls) was exploited until the 13th century, the development of mineral cultivation methods at that time encouraged some people eager for wealth to try to "nacre" small or large objects "naturally." For example, some Chinese merchants had multiple objects, such as small iridescent Buddha statues, nacre-coated by introducing these foreign bodies between the valves of living pearl mollusks. Furthermore, mother-of-pearl shells also served as currency. Indeed, this use was significant in the maritime trade of certain peoples: in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean. However, this currency was not used in France.
The virtues and properties of mother-of-pearl
Today, mother-of-pearl, a spectacle of virtues and benefits, stimulates
affection and solicitude while reassuring and helping to develop personal
consciousness and protecting against emotional wounds. It
symbolizes the 42nd wedding anniversary. In lithotherapy, this organic mineral with iridescent reflections is believed to have other benefits and properties, acting in symbiosis on the body and
mind. Thus, mother-of-pearl is said to promote bone regeneration (rheumatism,
arthritis, calcium deficiency) and the circulation of fluids in the body. Pearly
stones are a symbol of technique and life.
Many enthusiasts of this organic, silver-colored
material sourced from living shells use it in the creation of their various pieces of jewelry, such as earrings,
bracelets, and necklaces. Some even prefer mother-of-pearl from a
living shell to stones, which is a more classic option. Its iridescent appearance
is reminiscent of the brilliance of an agate stone, but its quality
lies mainly in its properties and in its technical origin from a
shell full of life, which, in fact, is fascinating.