Mother of pearl: what it is, properties and colors

It is difficult to find a person who has not heard of mother-of-pearl. The rainbow gem is highly prized by jewelers. Its shimmering overflows are mesmerizing, and its strength characteristics, which are not inferior to decorative ones, allow it to take its rightful place among the best ornamental stones.

The description of mother-of-pearl should start with the fact that, in fact, it is not a stone. It is a durable mineral that is organic in nature. An iridescent layer covers the interior of the shells of some molluscs. This is a kind of sanitary protection. It prevents dirt and bacteria from entering the delicate shell dwellers. It is in such conditions that pearls are created that will conquer the hearts of millions of women around the planet in the future.

The radiant biopolymer is composed of lime and aragonite. The binding element is conchiolin, which is produced by molluscs. After hardening, the substance becomes very strong and resembles chitin. The placement of microscopic aragonite flakes is chaotic. Each one reflects light in a different way. In this case, the light fluxes reflected from different faces intersect with each other.

The iridescent mineral-organic composite looks so impressive that it is difficult to believe in its origin. Perhaps that is why many call it a stone. The range of colors is extensive. These are both gentle pastel colors and dark saturated shades. It is worth dwelling on the origin of the name of mother-of-pearl. It originated from the German Perlmutter.In translation, the word means "mother of pearls". This is fully consistent with the truth and explains the nature of the gem in the best way possible.

Mother of pearl was discovered by man long ago. Shellfish with pearls are not uncommon in the warm equatorial seas. There, for a long time, mother-of-pearl shells were a kind of currency. And also the shimmering substance was used in the manufacture of jewelry.

Beautiful things with iridescent elements were prized in ancient Egypt. For example, the mineral adorned furniture found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. In China, elite fans and other accessories of ruling persons were trimmed with mother-of-pearl. In the Middle Ages, resourceful merchants managed to trade in mother-of-pearl scales, claiming that they fell from the wings of an angel. In the Victorian era, the substance came to be considered a fashionable finishing stone.

With such a wide distribution of the mineral, its extraction has always been difficult. This was done by people with the skills of excellent swimmers and divers. They had to be physically resilient, not have health problems. In addition, knowledge of where the molluscs live was required. Centuries have passed, but the essence of the method of extracting precious shells from the sea has remained the same. The diver's legs are equipped with a weight. He pulls the miner to the bottom, where pearl oysters are located. A person puts them in a prepared container, unties the load and returns to the surface.

However, getting a mother-of-pearl shell is only half the battle. After that, she is left in the sun. Ultraviolet light contributes to the self-destruction of the mollusc. Then the shining layer is cut out and processed... Cutting, shaping, grinding, polishing - all these stages the mineral goes through before, with the help of a master, it turns into a product of amazing beauty. Sometimes the idea assumes the maximum expressiveness of the shade, then the gem is subjected to additional processing with a solution of silver chloride. However, in most cases, the original mother-of-pearl color is left.

The Persian Gulf has been the source of mother-of-pearl shells for centuries. Divers were looking for pearls, which are not so common. Unlike him, there is always mother-of-pearl on the sashes. An amazing field was discovered in the United States, Oklahoma. Not so long ago, the world's oldest mother-of-pearl shells were found there. Prehistoric molluscs are found in a layer of asphalt limestone. Once he was at the bottom of the sea. The shells are over three hundred million years old.

The petrified mother-of-pearl amazes with the beauty of the shades. The unusual blue and greenish tint is the result of some natural chemical processes. There are also pink minerals. And also precious shells are mined in the Red Sea, off the coast of Japan. A cluster of shining "treasures" are observed off the Philippine Islands. They are in Borneo and Ceylon.

There are several types of mother-of-pearl. They differ in shades that depend on the type of shellfish that they are produced.

• Haliotis. Molluscs of this species live in the Pacific Ocean. These minerals are purple, blue-green, red, gold and even black. The most valuable specimens are colored pink and blue.

• Manilla. The mother-of-pearl of such mollusks is exceptionally pearl white. The production is carried out in India.

• Cassis. This mineral stands out with its unique blue color. It can be found off the coast of India and Brazil.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the mother of pearl from the shells of the mollusk, which has the name "abalone". Fiery reds and luxurious browns are amazing.

Mother of pearl is a rather soft material.It lends itself well to processing, but requires careful handling. The Mohs scale hardness is 4.5, while the mineral is highly durable. This allows it to be used in the production of various decorative items. They turn out to be not only beautiful, but also durable.

In ancient times, mother-of-pearl was credited with powerful healing qualities. It was often worn by pregnant women. They were convinced that this would make childbirth easier. And it was also believed that shimmering shine increases the chance of a girl being born. In the Middle Ages, wealthy people often bought mother-of-pearl cups. It was assumed that the stone enriches the liquid with healing power. By drinking from such a vessel, a person seemed to get excellent health, get rid of diseases, and prolong his life.

Ancient doctors tried to treat all kinds of ailments with rainbow powder. In the 17th century, the "pearl essence" gained particular popularity. A mixture of pearl and pearl powders was used for fainting, poisoning, heart and other diseases. Today lithotherapy also does not exclude the positive effect of the mineral on the human condition.

If a woman has hearing problems, she is offered mother-of-pearl earrings. If you often have a sore throat, lung or heart disease, a necklace or pendant with a beautiful gem can be an excellent addition to traditional treatment. Lithotherapists recommend bracelets with a stone to those who are worried about the condition of the joints. Sometimes pearlescent powder is used in cosmetology. It is believed that creams with it help get rid of age spots and even out skin tone.

Astrologers also attach great importance to the gem. Its magical properties are associated with organic origin. In ancient times in the East, mother-of-pearl amulets depicting gods and various significant symbols were designed to protect the house from evil spirits. The sailors kept a shell with them in the hope that it would give them a safe journey in good weather conditions. Today, the energy of the gem is assigned the ability to maintain peace and harmony in the family. This is explained by the fact that the shells in which the mother-of-pearl is located symbolize the birth of something new. It is, in a sense, a family nest.

If problems begin in the marriage, you should decorate the house with a mother-of-pearl amulet. Quarrels will gradually subside, relations will improve. If the family is happy, the rainbow object will save it from the evil eye, lovebirds and unkind gossip. And also some notice that the gem improves the financial situation, contributes to stability. If a person has not yet started a family of his own, the gem will give him self-confidence and help to reveal positive qualities. It is also worth noting that mother-of-pearl accessories are one of the few jewelry that children can wear.

Today museums exhibit many luxurious items adorned with mother-of-pearl. These are jewelry, weapons, caskets, church items and household utensils. Many of them can rightfully be called works of art. Mother-of-pearl items are also found in modern stores. For example, gourmets can delight themselves with specially coated spoons. Such cutlery is intended for caviar tasting. It is believed that when in contact with metal, the delicacy loses its true great taste. The mother-of-pearl layer excludes this possibility.

The mineral is often used to decorate musical instruments. These are grand pianos intended for performances, saxophones, violins. Interior decoration in this way has not lost its relevance today.A special technology allows you to create a mosaic of extraordinary beauty with a base of ceramics, marble, glass and so on. Designers use mother-of-pearl decor to decorate ceremonial halls, theaters, chic restaurants.

Gem jewelry was once the height of luxury. But even today it is used to create original masterpieces. Combinations of mother-of-pearl with silver and various natural stones are especially good. Pearls and coral look harmoniously with the rainbow mineral. It is effectively complemented by turquoise, malachite, agate.

Astrologers believe that the iridescent stone is universal. There are no restrictions on wearing jewelry with it. Only representatives of the Gemini sign are distinguished. It is believed that the dual nature of such individuals will not allow the mineral to manifest healing and magical properties.

Especially the proximity of the gem is recommended for Aquarius and Pisces. For people born under the first sign, he will help in their careers. Representatives of the second sign will be able to enlist his support in controversial situations. For both of them, pearlescent shine will bring good luck, inspiration, harmonious relationships. It will support them in difficult situations, promote optimism and cheerfulness.

Imitation of mother-of-pearl is not uncommon. Usually plastic is used for this. The desired shade and shimmer is given to the polymer by applying paint using a special technology. It is not difficult to identify a fake. It is only necessary to lightly pass the sharp end of the needle over a dubious object. If it is a natural surface, it will remain intact. If you have an imitation in front of you, there will be a scratch on it.

Sometimes glass is used to create a pearlescent effect. In this case, its reverse side is coated with mother-of-pearl varnish. Usually, on closer inspection, the trick is obvious. And you can also detect a fake by touch.

In 2012, an amazing event happened. The creation of the highest quality artificial mother-of-pearl was officially announced. Thanks to nanotechnology, UK scientists have recreated the perfect imitation. It is almost indistinguishable from the original. The secret lies in the fact that not only the appearance, but also the structure of the mineral is recreated. Due to this, radiant overflows are obtained as natural as possible.

Two years later, another scientific breakthrough occurred. There is a "mother-of-pearl" glass that cannot be broken. The strength of the new material is 200 times higher than that of a conventional analogue. This was achieved due to the laser creation of wavy tiny scales that make up the new material. The structure, similar to the natural structure of an iridescent gem, provides not only strength, but also lightness. This discovery prompted specialists to come up with new ideas.

Caring for pearl products is no different from caring for pearls. Access to the mineral of direct sunlight should be excluded. Due to ultraviolet radiation, it collapses. Also, do not place mother of pearl near heat sources. He doesn't like dryness. Low humidity atmospheres can cause the appearance of the stone to be spoiled by cracks formed on it.

An important point is the personal hygiene of the wearer of the jewelry. Human sweat contains acids. In contact with them, the mineral becomes yellow and dull. Cosmetics in the form of creams and deodorants can also harm him. Avoid splashing perfume.

Cleaning your sea treasure at home is easy. The main thing is to know the basic rules.It is strictly forbidden to use abrasive and alcohol-based compounds. Do not use detergents containing dyes or other foreign elements.

There are special nets on sale. They are made of soft microfiber and are designed to clean pearlescent items. You can replace such a device with a piece of suede, while you can only use clean drinking water (chlorine can negatively affect the stone). If the object is dirty, dilute a small amount of starch in the water.

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