Holly Robichaux Designs

Mother of Pearl is the iridescent coating on the inside of mollusk shells.  It is so named because when an irritant gets inside a shell, the shell protects itself by coating the irritant with the same material (nacre) of its lining that creates pearls (therefore, this substance is the creator, or mother, of pearls!).  Nacre, itself often a synonym for mother of pearl, is composed of alternate layers of the aragonite form of calcium carbonate and conchiolin.  The undulating grain of mother of pearl is the result of seasonal fluctuations in the mollusk’s diet.  The dark organic material is laid down during the winter months and the nacre is laid down in the warmer summer months.  Some Mother of Pearl on the market has been bleached to achieve a brighter white.  In caring for mother of Pearl beads, be aware that alcohol will eat through the nacre, causing irreparable damage to the color and luster.  Remember that there is alcohol in perfume so never wear it on your neck or in the vicinity of your Mother of Pearl jewelry.