What is mother-of-pearl?Mother-of-pearl is a shellfish animal also known as a mussel. They live in the ocean and are one of the most important in the formation of pearls. There are many species of mother-of-pearl, the most famous of which is the offshore pearl mussel.
The shell of mother-of-pearl is composed of calcium and protein, with a smooth shell surface and a hard shell structure. Their bodies are protected in this hard shell and allow them to swim freely in the sea. The size of mother-of-pearl varies depending on the species, but is generally between a few centimeters and tens of centimeters in diameter.
Mother-of-pearl has the function of breathing and filtering food. They use their gills to breathe, and they also screen plankton from the water for food. Mother-of-pearl oysters grow at a slower rate and generally take a few years or even longer to reach adulthood. This is one of the reasons why pearls are valuable.
When the surface of the shell of mother-of-pearl is stimulated by the outside world, they secrete nacre to repair these damages, gradually forming pearls. These pearls grow gradually inside the shell, creating a unique appearance through the arrangement of the shell, and the color varies depending on the composition and method of production.
Over the centuries, humans discovered this process and began to explore how to extract pearls from mother-of-pearl to make jewelry. These jewels can be transformed into timeless and noble ornaments through delicate processing and design, and are widely regarded as a precious gift and one of the jewelry collections.
As it is said in ancient Chinese culture, pearls symbolize purity and beauty. In modern society, mother-of-pearl farming and pearl processing have also become an important industry. At the same time of development, we should also pay attention to the protection of the marine ecological environment and safeguard the survival rights and interests of marine organisms, so as to ensure the sustainable development of mother-of-pearl and the sustainable use of pearls by human beings. Mother-of-pearl is not only a wonder of nature, but also one of the indispensable and precious resources of human culture and the jewelry industry.