Reflecting the rainbows of the ocean beds, iridescent Mother of Pearl is the opal of the sea. Like amber, Mother of Pearl is organic, but unlike any other gemstone it forms locked away within its creator: the mollusk.
15th Century Europeans, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, gave Mother of Pearl its name. However the beauty of Mother of Pearl, associated birthstone of June, has been used in the decoration of precious jewels and ornaments as far back as 3000 years before the birth of Christ.
MOP Jewelry Guide Definition
Mother of Pearl: Crystals of calcium carbonate and conchiolin, secreted by the living organism within a mollusk, which build up and solidify coating the inner surface of the shell. Also known as Nacre (na'ker): from the Arabic word 'Naqqarah' meaning shell.
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