What is Mother of Pearl?

Mother of pearl is the iridescent substance found in the inner layer of mollusk shells. It's not a pearl, but a description of the shade. The type of mother of pearl harvested varies by country and location. It’s often used to make unique pieces of jewelry, among other uses, that have a boho-chic aesthetic. Because of the close relationship between the mother of pearl and pearls, people sometimes confuse the two, though many significant differences exist.

Though mother of pearl is primarily used for jewelry, people have also used them for many other purposes. Home designers have often used mother of pearl for home décor, commonly in the form of mosaic tile designs. Mother of pearl is also used to accent various musical instruments including guitars, harmonicas, accordions, and ouds. Finally, you’ll also often find mother of pearl featured on women’s clothing as buttons, as well as on cufflinks for men.