Mother of Pearl Silver Pendants - What They Are, and How to Care for Them

Nacre is something that people are not familiar with-however they do know what mother-of-pearl is. Actually, nacre and mother-of-pearl is one and the same, the shiny surface found in the shells of many shellfish. Shellfish like oysters, conches and scallops create this special layer to stop themselves from being infected by water-borne viruses. While many shellfish utilize the layer to shield themselves, usually only abalone or oysters are used for mother-of-pearls. People from all over the word have been fascinated by this shiny sheen, and thus mother-of-pearl is very popular for clothes, accessories and shoes. The shinier it is, the more valuable it becomes. Till today, some backward cultures still use this precious shell lining as currency. For the sophisticated lady however, mother-of-pearl is a great complement for her pearl jewelry, and also fabulous when worn alone.

Mother-of-pearl jewelry are often painstakingly made by removing the first couple of layers from the shellfish, sandpapered and trimmed carefully to fit the jewelry. Usually a craftsman will use gemstones or crystals to decorate and complement the shine of the mother-of-pearl. The mother-of-pearl itself is glued strongly to the precious metal (silver, gold or titanium) using jeweler's glue before the crystals are added one by one. Mother-of-pearl is easily to work with as it is pliable, soft and easily shaped, but unfortunately this means that if one does not take care of it, it shatters easily or snaps. Also, one should not scratch it with anything sharp or store it carelessly as the beautiful sheen would soon be dulled, which is a pity.

An experienced mother-of-pearl appreciator would know that it comes in a vast variety of colors subject only to nature's choice and tastes. These many include creamy white, yellowish-brown, silver, mottled patterns or even bluish-green. However, as overwhelming demand for a particular color may be too high for supply, the mother-of-pearl is sometimes colored with artificial paints or glosses to mimic the real deal. Hence a buyer has to be careful, especially if she is paying a lot for it.

While out shopping for your perfect jewel, you need to check that the mother-of-pearl is firmly glued to the inlays. Discard those that seem shaky and do not give in to the pesky salesperson who tries to persuade you that "that is normal"-it is not. If the mother-of-pearl is not firmly glued, the jewelry's lifespan is drastically reduced and you will not be able to enjoy for as long as you should. All genuine mother-of-pearl silver pendants will bar the silver hallmark insignia branded on the back, so be sure to check this out!

Fake mother-of-pearl is amass in the markets today, so you need to be extremely careful or you will end up with a fake one. Plastic, or even a mixture of crushed shells has been used and passed as the real deal. However, you may notice that there are tiny crack marks on such production-avoid them at all costs. Moreover, they do not have the beautiful glaze that real mother-of-pearls possess. Simply compare a real piece to a fake one, and you will immediately see the difference.

As with any jewelry, a mother-o-pearl chain requires tender loving care. If not, it would not last long and you might need to buy one to replace the one that you have carelessly spoilt. You also need to keep your pendant separately from other jewels-in fact, all your jewelry ought to have separate housings to ensure long lasting luster. If you are afraid for your expensive mother-f-pearl jewelry, you may wrap it carefully with treated leather or tissue for enhanced protection.

While mother-of-pearl jewelry does not usually require cleaning, you might want to give it a wipe-down if it starts to look dull. A jeweler's cloth is easily obtained from any local goldsmith and it should get rid of any impurities that you see on the mother-of-pearl, thereby restoring its glossy sheen. However, beware and do not soak your jewelry in harsh disinfectants as this can reduce the holding power of the glue. You may want to have it cleaned by an expert, who for a small fee will fix any other problems that it has.

A good mother-of-pearl silver pendant will accompany you successfully to many functions and dinners-it is indeed a worthwhile investment for any aspiring socialite!