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For thousands of years, the iridescent face of mother of pearl has captivated people, as has its remarkable ability to catch the light in the most unique way. This organic material symbolizing both sea and earth can today be found on many jewelry pieces, such as the mother of pearl necklace. Mother of pearl jewelry is most commonly set in silver or white gold. That said, its wide range of colors and reflections makes it a perfect match for all metals, including yellow gold, which can produce truly stunning pieces.
Derived from the Arabic "naqqarat," mother of pearl is a stone rich in symbolism whose uses have evolved across the centuries. Its iridescent color has fascinated people since the dawn of time, and it has been put to a wide range of purposes throughout history. In general, it was used in the creation of countless objects: jewelry, accessories, tools, musical instruments, decorative pieces, furniture, engravings, and more. Among Catholics, mother of pearl was used to craft statues of the Virgin Mary because of its distinctive symbolism - it is a stone associated with purity and virginity, femininity and gentleness. For the ancient Greeks, mother of pearl embodied love, while the Chinese saw it as a symbol of immortality.
Today, as in centuries past, mother of pearl is still used to adorn everyday objects (buttons, cutlery, etc.), as well as in jewelry and watchmaking - with the latter featuring many dials crafted from this exceptionally refined material.
Mother of pearl is found all over the world, including in Costa Rica, the United States (California and Florida), New Zealand, Mexico, Australia, Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar (Burma), India, and Madagascar.
Mother of pearl is a smooth, polished stone with a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale and a density of 2.95. It is considered a biosynthesized mineral material, or biocomposite, formed inside the shell of certain mollusks, most notably the pearl oyster, abalone, and nautilus. It is a semi-precious stone composed of aragonite crystals (calcium carbonate) bound by a protein called conchiolin, with the chemical formula CaCO3. As for pearls, when a foreign body enters the shell of these same mollusks, they secrete mother of pearl as a defense mechanism, building up layer by layer to form one or more pearls. However, mother of pearl is far more common than the pearl itself, as a pearl is not automatically produced whenever mother of pearl forms.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the iridescent quality of mother of pearl is due to its thin layers of aragonite, which give it colorful reflections that shift depending on the viewing angle and lighting. These reflections can vary in intensity, while the stone's color can range from white to dark beige, yellow to pink, and blue-green to slate gray. Each specimen displays a unique hue with exceptional depth of color, making the stone instantly recognizable.
Associated with those born in June, mother of pearl is a gentle, soothing stone that calms stress and anxiety while easing negative emotions. It brings the wearer a sense of security and well-being. It also encourages open communication, nurtures creativity, and fosters open-mindedness and intuition.
On a physical level, mother of pearl has a regenerative effect on bones and skin. It has a stimulating action on the digestive and renal systems. It may be of particular interest to those watching their weight, thanks to its draining properties. It is also recognized for its benefits in relieving arthritis pain and rheumatism, as well as combating flu, fever, and calcium deficiencies.
Mother of pearl is very fragile, so it requires careful attention. A few essential precautions should be followed: mother of pearl should never be exposed directly to sunlight or heat, nor come into direct contact with chemicals or perfume. It should also be protected from impacts and stored in a dedicated fabric pouch or wrap to prevent contact with other pieces.
For cleaning, a little lukewarm water is all it takes to clean mother of pearl - simply wipe it dry with a soft cloth afterward to remove any residue.
Pendants, necklaces, earrings, watches… Ocarat offers hundreds of items across every style to match your every desire. Paired with a variety of precious metals, mother of pearl has only grown in popularity over the years. Whatever piece you're looking for, our online jewelry store has you covered. For each item, Ocarat provides a detailed guide with extensive information about the piece.
Mother of pearl is a semi-precious stone that is easy to recognize thanks to its iridescent quality, which gives the impression that its colors are constantly shifting. Its rainbow-like hues make it simple to distinguish from other stones.
Mother of pearl is delicate and should be stored separately from other jewelry and gemstones to avoid damage. For everyday care, it should be gently cleaned with lukewarm water and then wiped with a soft cloth.
Mother of pearl comes in several varieties. Among them, "franc nacre" - prized for its beautiful white - is particularly sought after. Highly iridescent specimens are also popular, though color and nuance ultimately come down to personal taste. Paua shell, found in New Zealand and nicknamed "sea opal" for its spectacular play of color, is one of the most coveted varieties in the world.
Perfect for treating yourself or gifting someone special, Ocarat's online jewelry store offers a wide variety of mother of pearl jewelry. Pendants, necklaces, earrings… Choose from hundreds of quality pieces, including jewelry and watches.
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