Mother-of-pearl

Mother-of-pearl, a semi-precious stone, is obtained from the shells of certain molluscs and can be identified thanks to its appearance and iridescent reflections. Mother-of-pearl is used in many fields, but mainly in the creation of jewellery. True mother-of-pearl is clearly the most popular version. This variety has an incomparable intense white colour and can be found off the coast of Madagascar, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia and even Djibouti. The transformation of the mother-of-pearl collected from the ocean beds is a very precise process. Fragments of mother-of-pearl are initially submerged in hot water to make them softer and easier to shape. Mother-of-pearl can then be transformed depending on the shape required. While the natural colour of mother-of-pearl is white, it is also entirely possible to find grey, green and pink varieties. To obtain these very special hues, dyes containing organic pigments are used. Mother-of-pearl consists of alternating layers of conchiolin and aragonite crystals. Water and certain ions in seawater also play a role in this process, inducing interaction with light, and giving mother-of-pearl its iridescent appearance. In the field of inlaying, mother-of-pearl is an integral part of the technique known as intarsia, an ancient method that came to light in Antiquity. In concrete terms, mother-of-pearl is encrusted in a structure, proving that in those far-gone times, most mother-of-pearl inlays were an integral part of a building. It wasn’t until the 14th century that mother-of-pearl inlays began to be used in furnishings, namely in combination with wooden items. Mother-of-pearl reached the peak of its glory in the 18th century and was particularly popular for oriental-style furniture. With items of furniture with mother-of-pearl inlay, dust must be removed daily using a soft cloth or a small brush. This will clear the furniture, and also the mother-of-pearl, of all dust particles deposited on the surface. It is also important to monitor the humidity level, which must be constant to avoid any cracking, in all rooms containing furniture with mother-of-pearl inlay. Use a special oil-based product to nourish the mother of pearl inlay. After evenly applying this oil, simply wipe a cloth over the surface and admire the shine.

Mother-of-pearl

Les Marques

Mother-of-pearl