Mother of pearl, also known as nacre, is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some mollusks as an inner shell layer. It is also the material of which pearls are composed. Mother of pearl is technically termed “nacre”, which is a crystallized mineral compound that forms on the inner shell layer of certain mollusks. Here are some key points about mother of pearl:

• It is strong, resilient, and iridescent.
• It is the iridescent inside lining of a mollusk shell.
• It is a more readily available precious material than pearls, giving it a more accessible price point.
• It has been used for thousands of years and has been a highly-prized material across many cultures.
• It is used to make unique pieces of jewelry, among other uses, that have a boho-chic aesthetic.
• It is sometimes confused with pearls, but many significant differences exist between the two.
• Mother of pearl is shaped like the shell and can cover larger areas such as watch faces, whereas a pearl is usually shaped round and made into beads.

Mother of pearl has been used for a variety of purposes, including jewelry, buttons, gun furniture, and decorative grips of firearms. It is also used in the decorative grips of firearms and to make spoon-like utensils for caviar.