Collection: Mother-of-pearl

Nacre , also called "mother of pearl" , is a hard, shiny, iridescent substance produced by certain mollusks, notably pearl oysters and abalone. It lines the inside of their shells and is also the material of natural pearls.

✨ Composition and training

Mother-of-pearl is mainly composed of:

• Aragonite crystals (a form of calcium carbonate – CaCO₃)

• Conchiolin , an organic protein that acts as a binder between crystals

These components are organized into very thin microscopic layers. Light diffracts through these layers, producing the characteristic iridescent effect of mother-of-pearl.

🐚 Role for the mollusk

• Protection : Mother-of-pearl protects the mollusk's soft tissues from parasites and debris.

• Defense reaction : When a foreign body penetrates the shell, the mollusk coats it with nacre — this is how a pearl is born.

💍 Human uses

• Jewelry : pearls, pendants, earrings…

• Crafts and decoration : inlays in furniture, watches, buttons, musical instruments, etc.

• Lutherie : for neck markers on guitars or violins.

🎨 Aesthetic aspect

Mother-of-pearl is prized for:

• Its soft, iridescent shine

• Its color palette : white, pink, gray, blue, green depending on the origin and thickness of the layers

• Its natural and refined appearance

🌍 Geographical origins

The main sources of mother-of-pearl come from:

• The Indian Ocean and the South Pacific (Polynesia, Japan, Indonesia)

• Certain tropical and temperate waters where pearl oysters live