MOTHER OF PEARL

Mother of Pearl or Nacre is secreted by the epithelial cells of the mantle tissue of certain species of mollusc. In these molluscs, nacre is continually deposited onto the inner surface of the animal's shell ( the iridescent nacreous layer, commonly known as mother of pearl ), both as a means to smooth the shell itself and as a defense against parasitic organisms and damaging detritus. The iridescent appearance of the nacre is due to the fact that the thickness of the aragonite platelets are about 0.5 micrometres, which is comparable to the wavelength of visible light. This results in constructive and destructive interference of the different wavelengths of light, resulting in different colours of light being reflected at different viewing angles.

Shell Mosaic Tiles, Sea Shells, Sea Shell Crafts, Tumbled Sea

N.B. When sourcing and or buying Mother of Pearl Tiles, Mosaics or Tesserae, please be be sure to check whether the Mother of Pearl that you are buying is made using Fresh-Water or Sea-Water Shell.

Fresh-Water Mother of Pearl although beautiful in it's own way, does not have the same lustre or opalescent play of colours, that is synonymous with Sea-Water Mother of Pearl. The Mother of pearl that is used in Jewellery, Luthier & Furniture inlays ( along with many other craft activities ), is nearly always Sea-Water Mother of Pearl. Due to it's superior quality, Sea Water Mother of Pearl demands 'much' higher prices than Fresh Water Mother of Pearl.

Mother of Pearl Tiles, Ceramic Tiles, Fresh Water Pearl Tiles, Capiz Shell Tiles, Abalone Shell Tiles, Shell Mosaics, Mosaic Tiles on Mesh, Paua, Black Mother of Pearl, White Mother of Pearl, Golden Mother of Pearl, Bathroom Tiles, Wall Tiles, Floor Tiles

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