MOTHER OF PEARL

Van Cleef & Arpels "Alhambra" earrings in mother of pearl

Variety:  Mother of Pearl
Species:  Shell
​​Mohs Hardness:  2.5 to 4.5 out of 10
Color:  White, pinkish white, or gray with orient
RI:  1.530 to 1.685
Birefringence:  0.155 (Birefringence blink technique)
SR/DR/AGG:  AGG
Spectrum:  Not diagnostic
Fluorescence:  Variable
SG:  2.86 (+0.03/-0.16)

Mother of Pearl Facts

Photo courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CM (NAJA), Global Gemology & Appraisals

Mother of pearl is the inner lining of a mollusk or oyster shell.

Only oysters or mollusks with this inner coating are capable of creating, or birthing, pearls, hence the name "mother of pearl".

Mother of pearl occurs in several different colors, and can display iridescence of varying intensities.

Abalone mother of pearl shell is darker in color, with very intense, richly saturated iridescent patterns.
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Mother of Pearl Gallery