Mother of pearl is basically the lining of shells or a mollusc. Tortoiseshell on the other hand is the lining of the hawksbill turtle.
The mother of pearl is naturally water-proof and reasonably tough, although it is moderately brittle which is why its used as an inlay as the surrounding silver protects it.
1.Tear-drop sterling silver pendant inlaid with white mother of pearl suspended from a 1mm thick 18 inch sterling silver chain. Combined weight is 6.1 grams
£14.95
2. Marcasite. A stunning choker style silver necklace. The pastel shades of mother of pearl are sandwiched between segments of marcasite stones. length 16 inches. Weight 32 grams.
£49.95
3. Rectangles of mother of pearl cradled between two bands of sterling silver. Each block measures 10mm x 6mm. The rigid choker style slides over the neck and rests on the collar bone. It weighs 34 grams.
£49.95
4. Tear drops of pastel coloured mother of pearl set in silver cascade down from a series of curved silver arms. The pink centre tear-drop is 20mm x 15mm. It weighs 36 grams length is 16 inches. (40.6 cm)
£44.95
5.Three pastel mother of pearls set in a pendant suspended from an 18 inch silver snake chain. Set into the pendant darkened silver creates an eye-catching back drop Total weight of pendant with chain is 12 grams.
£27.95
6.Discs of natural mother of pearl in 4 pastel shades set in a sterling silver choker style necklace. The pink centre-piece has a diameter of 15 mm. length 16 inches. Weight 30 grams.
£49.95
Pages of mother of pearl necklaces
All these necklaces are constructed using real mother of pearl either in its natural pastel white colour or artificially dyed in pastel pinks or blues.
Pearls are formed when a foreign particle enters an oyster or mussel. The mollusc then secretes a nacre around that particle. Nacre is mostly calcium carbonate(CaCO3) but can also contain a small amount of conchiolin which are fragments of the outer shell of the mollusc.
A gorgeous set of silver jewellery that looks astonishing throughout all seasons.