Mother of Pearl

Mother of Pearl, also known as Nacre, is an irredescent material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. Pearls and Mother of Pearl are formed by marine oysters and freshwater mussels as a natural defense against an irritant such as a parasite entering their shell or damage. Mother of Pearl is composed of hexagonal platelets of Aragonite and is the same material of which Pearls are composed of. Mother of Pearl's iridescent effect is caused due to the size of these platelets is close to the wavelength of visible light, resulting in diffraction in different directions for different wavelengths (colors) of light.

For centuries, Mother of Pearl has been prized for its beauty and metaphysical properties. Among many cultures, Mother of Pearl is believed to ward off evil spirits and promotes good luck. In ancient Egypt and China, Mother of Pearl was used in jewelry and ornamental objects. Pearls and Mother of Pearl are linked with the divine feminine.