Mother of pearl is renowned for its beautiful iridescent sheen. This wonderful material is formed on the inside walls of nacreous mollusc shells. The interference and diffraction of light through thin surface layers of nacre deposited on the shell is responsible for mother of pearl’s unique and captivating colours. As a result, each piece of mother of pearl is entirely different, showing different levels of iridescence in various mesmerising patterns.
Mother of pearl can be used as June birthstone, instead of pearl itself. The material occurs in shades of black, white, and pink. Any other shade is a result of dyeing. This material is used in jewellery, inlays, objet d’art, ornamental purposes and watch faces.
