Mother of pearl is the iridescent substance called nacre, which is found on the inside of mollusks. It is a blend of minerals that is secreted by oysters and mollusks inside their shell, which in turn coats the shell from inside and protects it from parasites and other foreign objects. The word nacre, comes from the Arab word naqqarah, which means shell. So basically, nacre means mother of pearl shell. This is a substance that is used to make jewellery, ornaments or for decorative purposes. Mother of pearl shell has more importance than pearls. This mother of pearl shell or nacre is also used by Chinese people in its powdered form as a medication to lower blood pressure and to treat dizziness. It is also used as a heart medication in China.
The jewellery that is made from mother of pearl, is termed as organic jewellery, because it is the jewellery that originates from a living creature, which may be a plant or an organism. This material was also used to make buttons in the earlier centuries, but recently they it has turned out to be a very expensive industry. It is still continued to be used as a material of decoration, or on musical instruments and as jewellery too, but a very valuable item of possession today. The mother of pearl that belongs to the abalone shell, is the most expensive and much in demand to day.Nowadays, mother of pearl tiles are available in the market. They come in different sizes, different designs and with different backings. It can be purchased as per your desire and requirement.
Mother of pearl is found in the Middle East. It is also found in the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea Indian Ocean and parts of the Western Pacific. Freshwater pearl mussels are an endangered species and are harvested by permit. It is a valued possession, and much in demand because of which there are wide chances of fake pearl items being sold in the market. It is necessary to be able to diffrentiate between real mother of pearl and the fake ones. Mother of pearl is generally colder than normal room temperature. It also has a good, smooth feel that is different from a plastic feel. You can do a complete research on the origin of pearls oysters and fresh water pearls. This will give you an accurate idea of whether the items sold in the market are genuine or a well disguised piece of plastic.
Pearl is the most sought after gem and can be converted into beautiful pieces of jewellery. It is necessary to take complete care of pearl jewellery. Do not wear it before putting on your make up and perfume. Do not apply anything on ur hands after wearing your pearl rings. Clean them with a damp cloth and then air dry the pearls before putting them away. Do not clean your pearls with harsh solutions or detergents containing ammonia. Also do not use any abrasive cleaners or abrasvie cloths which will wear away the nacre coating.