Mother of pearl belongs to a species that exists throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean

 The black-lipped oyster or Pinctada Margaritifera

According to scientists...Sexes... are separated and one can observe both male and female individuals

Reproduction can take place throughout the year but activity is more pronounced after changes of season

Notably when the water temperature rises a few degrees around October and November

Interesting...that Mother-Of-Pearl...has male and female sexes

Bernese Dog Hand Painted on Mother-Of-Pearl

Mother-Of-Pearl...Today...Could be Considered the "Number One Choice"

For the Russian Hand Painted Cameos

According to Customers, Friends and a local Jewelry Store Survey

Handpainted Dragonfly Cameo on Mother-Of-Pearl

**A Handpainted Subject on a Mother-Of-Pearl makes an Exquisite Cameo** 
 Take Notice of how the The Mother-Of-Pearl glows through the paint and becomes part of the background...As you move the Cameo in the light...It just glistens With a Lustrous

...One of a Kind Look...

Handpainted Mermaid Cameo on Mother-Of-Pearl

• Here are some Interesting Facts, Background, History & Information
• ........................On the Elegant Mother-Of-Pearl.................................

      * Sometimes Mother-Of-Pearl is Described as a Gorgeous Iridescent Opal of the Sea

• 15th Century Europeans, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, gave Mother of Pearl its name
• The beauty of Mother of Pearl can be breath taking in different types of lighting
• Mother-Of-Pearl is associated with the Birthstone of  June
• For years it has been used in the decoration of precious jewels, ornaments, jewelry and cameos
• Possibly Dating back 3000 years before the Birth of Christ
• Mother-Of-Pearl sometimes referred to as "MOP"
• Has radiant colors Reflecting the rainbows of the ocean beds
  ...Like Amber, Mother-of-Pearl is Organic...
• But unlike any other gemstone it forms locked away within its Creator: The Mollusk
• Mother-Of-Pearl: or nacre  (nâ´kr)
• Is the iridescent substance that forms the lining of the shells
• The Shell of some fresh-water and some salt-water mollusks
• Simular to the pearl it is a secretion of the mantle
• MOP is Composed of alternate layers of calcium carbonate and conchiolin
• Among the chief sources are the pearl oyster
• MOP is Mostly found in warm and tropical seas, chiefly in Asia
• We also have freshwater pearl mussels, which live in many rivers of the United States
•  Pearl is unique in the fact that it is the only gemstone to be created from a living creature
• Today the three Favorite colors of Mother-Of-Pear
• White, Pink and Black

Carved Cameo Shell

• Méru, considered the Mother-Of-pearl Capital
• Around the 17th century, marquetry craftsmen in the region of Méru were making a whole range of luxury articles for Parisian wholesalers
• Such as...(fans, opera glasses, broaches, buttons, toiletries, cutlery, jewellery)
• Craftsmen used natural materials from distant parts of the world including pearl oysters
• Production of mother-of-pearl buttons very popular at the beginning of the 20th century
• The Dégremont factory was one of  the larger producers of the MOP buttons

Image of worker inside a button factory

• Mother of Pearl... "Gold" of the Fenua ...
• Mother of pearl and pearls were objects of luxury and prestige in decoration in Polynesian pre-history
• Historical importance of mother of pearl in the eastern Pacific is evidenced from the first contacts between islanders and westerners
• Mother of pearl was used to make a variety of tools such as fish lures, hooks, files, graters, spoons and spatulas
• Also used as ornamentation of ceremonial costumes and for decorating the upper body ...diadems, ear and neck pendants, breast plates designating chiefs...
• Polynesians quickly learn the interest of westerners in pearls and they become a medium of exchange
• 1863... The fortunes of the Gambier Islands rest on its exports of mother of pearl
• Islands could yield 500 barrels of mother of pearl each year
• The development of Polynesian mother of pearl production from 1895 to 1968 would rise and fall with the flow of world trade

Early Image of hand-made Mother of Pearl Art

 If you have any questions, feel free to email us through ebay. We firmly believe in sharing knowledge through others and ebay is a excellent wealth of knowledge.  A wonderful source for anyone to find items that they want to collect or need.

We hope you will find this information helpful to all of you.

All the Best!

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