Mother-of-pearl – properties, virtues & benefits

Nacre stone is an iridescent gem of striking beauty, with shimmering reflections of pastel colors. It’s often used in jewelry to create unique, elegant Pieces. Find out more about this natural gemstone and its properties.

NACRE CHARACTERISTICS

  • Chakra: Crown.
  • Properties: Soothing, purifying, harmonizing.
  • Astrology: Moon.
  • Zodiac: Cancer.
  • Elements: Water.
  • Colors: Iridescent white, Pink, purple, blue, green..
  • Hardness: Between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale.
  • Chemical Formula: CaCO3.
  • Associated god: None.

NACRE STONE – ITS HISTORY

Since the end of the Paleolithic era, mother-of-pearl stone has been widely used by various peoples. The iridescent reflections of this stone fascinated early peoples, who associated these reflections with land and sea. The stone has been used in a variety of ways:

  • Pearlshells were mainly used to create jewelry. They were Pierced, cut and strung.
  • The iridescent reflections of the pearly parts of shells were used to decorate art and religious objects.
  • Shells were also used as currency in many regions, such as the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, North America, Africa and the Caribbean. They could be traded at considerable distances from their place of origin, increasing their value.
  • Shells were also used as tools because of their strength and varied shapes. They could be carved to give them a precise and useful shape. Smaller ones were used as spoons or bowls, while larger ones served as basins. The sharp edges of shells were also useful for making knives and saws.
  • Finally, shells were widely used as wind musical instruments by drilling a few holes, particularly in sPiral shells.

In addition to common uses, pearly shells have been employed in specific ways by different cultures:

  • The Chinese used them as figurines of their gods.
  • The Yaqui Indians of Mexico wore mother-of-pearl necklaces called “hopo’orosim” to protect themselves from evil forces.
  • Precious jewels and pearlescent shell tools were found in the treasures of Sumerian royalty in Mesopotamia.
  • Early Christians used shells as symbols of resurrection. Later, the scallop shell became an object of Pilgrimage linked to the apostle James, all the way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Mother-of-pearl, with its soft, milky color, was associated with maternal love and the Virgin Mary, hence the creation of many mother-of-pearl rosaries. Baptismal fonts and basins used in baptism were often made from the largest shells, symbolizing purification.
  • Northeastern Native American tribes, notably the Algonquin, wove “wampum”, precious and sacred ritual objects, from shells. They were used to adorn belts and necklaces, but also as money or gifts to seal a pact. Tubular shells were used to decorate hair.
  • The Mayans used mother-of-pearl for dental implants.
  • Pearl shells were very present in Hinduism. The conch shell is one of the eight Ashtamangala emblems of ausPiciousness in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. The dextrorotatory white conch is the trunk of heroes in Hindu ePic literature. The Panchajanya conch is one of the attributes of the god Vishnu: it represents the creation of the world, the primordial ocean.
  • In Buddhism, the conch represents the voice of Buddha and his teaching.
  • Australian aborigines used the melo melo or volute scoop, a shell with a large round part, to bail out their canoes.
  • In Caribbean Santeria, a religion originally from Cuba derived from the Yoruba religion, shells were used as mediums for divination.

Over time, mother-of-pearl has been in high demand after Queen Elizabeth I dubbed it “Mother of Pearl” in the 15th century. This name referred not only to the similar process of creating pearls and the pearly coating of shells, but also to its maternal symbolism. Since then, mother-of-pearl has been used to create pendants and precious objets d’art.

Today, mother-of-pearl is mainly used in jewelry and watchmaking. It is also used to make buttons, objets d’art and marquetry inlays. In jewelry-making, it is often combined with onyx, which contrasts beautifully with its milky color. In alternative medicine, such as reiki and aromatherapy, certain treatments are performed using shells for their healing properties. In divination, each shell has a specific symbolism and message.

BLUE PEARSTONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION

The term “mother-of-pearl” comes from the Arabic word “naqqarah”. Mother-of-pearl is the smooth, iridescent surface of the shells of mollusks such as oysters, abalone and mussels. It is produced by the mantle of mollusks, an envelope containing tissues and muscles that house the other organs. This envelope secretes the shell, which is formed by a regular juxtaposition of 0.5 µm-thick layers of aragonite, glued together by a 20 nm-thick organic protein called conchyoline. Although conchyoline represents only a small proportion of the pearlescent coating (4 to 6%), aragonite crystals account for over 90%.

When an irritating element penetrates the shell, mollusks produce nacre all around to protect themselves, and this protection gradually transforms into pearl. Molluscs continue to produce nacre throughout their lives.

Between the layers of aragonite and conchyoline are traces of water and various ions, whose particular arrangement causes the iridescent reflections of the nacre. The reflections depend on the angle of illumination and the observer’s position, creating the characteristic iridescence when the shell is moved or the viewpoint is changed. In addition to these fascinating iridescences, the pearly coating can have a particular coloration that varies according to the variety of shellfish. This coloration comes from the carotenoids contained in conchyoline. Manufacturers have attempted to reproduce the unique look of mother-of-pearl.

From the 17th century onwards, fish-scale-based paints called “essence d’Orient” were marketed. More recently, the plastics industry has used lead phosphates to create a pearly appearance on Pimples, but as these compounds are toxic, their cosmetic use is banned. Chemical compounds such as PW14, a bismuth oxychloride, have been developed to mimic iridescent pearlescent highlights, as have mica and metal oxide compounds to produce pearlescent Pigments of any color. Pearlescent Pigments can also be produced by coating silica or aluminum particles with layers of varying refractive indices, thus reproducing the light variations characteristic of the pearlescent appearance. These Pigments are used in the automotive industry for body paints and in cosmetics.

The pearly coating on shellfish is a biomineral, produced by the transformation of minerals into a rigid mineral compound from a matrix composed of conchyoline. Although researchers know of around 60 types of biomineral, mother-of-pearl is unique for its exceptional mechanical and physicochemical properties. In particular, it is resistant to acids and heat, stronger than the shell desPite its apparent fragility, and repairs itself naturally when Pierced or damaged while the mollusk is alive. These unique properties are being studied in biochemistry and biomimetics, but researchers don’t yet know how to reproduce nacre. The quality and structure of nacre vary according to shellfish species and stages of growth. Proteins, in particular conchyoline, structure the nacreous mineral and confer particular qualities to the nacreous coating of each shellfish species. The soluble part of conchyoline generates the aragonite crystal, while the insoluble part determines the density, size and quantity of the nacre.

There are several types of mother-of-pearl shells, including:

  • The nacre of pearl oysters, sourced mainly from South Sea pearl farms. The shell of a large oyster can weigh up to 5 kg.
  • Burgau pearly shell, from shellfish of the same name. It features brilliant reflections and has been widely used for fan decoration.
  • Paua pearlescent shell, also known as “sea opal” or abalone, is highly prized for its play of iridescent blue-green colors. It was used by the Maoris to adorn their wooden cult objects. It derives its nickname from its resemblance to black opal in terms of reflections.

NACRE – VERTUS ET PROPRIÉTÉS

PERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Nacre has beneficial properties on the psychological, sPiritual and energetic levels. It has a calming effect on anxiety, anger, tension and other excessive emotional states, making it a powerful mood regulator. It frees us from the fears and anxieties that can affect our daily lives, and encourages us to take more thoughtful, measured decisions. It also enhances understanding of oneself and others, and improves relationships, especially romantic ones. On a sPiritual level, mother-of-pearl is a stone of intuition and creativity that facilitates access to the astral body. It stimulates the imagination and promotes the circulation of energy, helPing to focus the mind and access wisdom and greater self-control. Mother-of-pearl is particularly beneficial for the solar plexus and forehead chakras, and its slow, natural manufacture in an aquatic environment gives it a strong vibratory power and powerful purifying capacity.

NACRE ON THE PHYSICAL LEVEL

Scientists are interested in the regenerative properties of mother-of-pearl for reconstructive surgery. Lithotherapy, meanwhile, considers mother-of-pearl to have numerous health benefits:

  • It is beneficial for stimulating and protecting the digestive system.
  • It is useful for relieving headaches and sore throats. It also stimulates the immune system, helps the body prevent the entry of foreign bodies and prevents nausea.
  • It is particularly effective for improving vision, treating eye disorders, dizziness and muscular tension.
  • It regulates the impact of emotions on physical tension, while calming anxiety and emotional disturbances.
  • It helps regulate excess tension and is beneficial in cases of calcium deficiency.
  • It helps heal wounds and can strengthen muscle tissue, the heart and treat joint disorders. Mother-of-pearl is considered a stone of intuition and open-mindedness in lithotherapy.

NACRE – CLEAN AND RECHARGE

Nacre stone is a delicate, sensitive gem that requires gentle cleaning and recharging. Here are some tips for cleaning and recharging your mother-of-pearl stone:

Cleaning:

  • Avoid harsh chemical cleaners and acidic solutions that can damage the delicate mother-of-pearl surface.
  • Use distilled water or lukewarm spring water instead to gently clean the mother-of-pearl stone.
  • Dry the mother-of-pearl stone with a soft, clean cloth.

Charge:

  • The mother-of-pearl stone can be recharged by placing it on a quartz geode or amethyst for several hours.
  • You can also place it under moonlight overnight to recharge it with soft, feminine energy.
  • Avoid recharging in direct sunlight, as this can cause discoloration of the mother-of-pearl.

Don’t forget to care for your mother-of-pearl stone with gentleness and respect, to preserve its beauty and energetic properties.

WHERE DOES THE NAME NACRE COME FROM?

The term “mother-of-pearl” comes from the Persian “naqqara”, which literally means “shell”. The word was introduced into French in the 16th century to designate the pearly substance that coats the inside of certain shells, such as that of pearly mollusks. Mother-of-pearl is also known as “perle de nacre”, as it is used to create artificial pearls by imitating the natural process of pearl formation. Thus, the name “mother-of-pearl” is closely linked to the use of this substance in jewelry and decoration.

WHICH CHAKRA DOES NACRE ACT ON?

The mother-of-pearl stone is often associated with the crown chakra, located at the top of the head. The crown chakra is considered the center of consciousness and sPirituality, and is associated with wisdom, knowledge and sPiritual connection. Mother-of-pearl is reputed to promote harmony and emotional balance, and can help calm the mind and elevate consciousness. Working on the crown chakra, mother-of-pearl can help strengthen connection with the divine and develop greater self-awareness.

WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH NACRE?

The astrological sign associated with mother-of-pearl stones is Cancer. Stones and crystals are often associated with zodiac signs based on their energy and properties. Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac and is ruled by the Moon. It is associated with emotion, sensitivity and intuition, and mother-of-pearl stones are reputed to help calm emotions, promote emotional balance and enhance intuition. Mother-of-pearl is also associated with the element of water, which is also linked to the sign of Cancer.

NACRE STONE SUMMARY

Nacre stone is an organic material formed by mollusks, mainly oysters and mussels. It consists of layers of aragonite crystals and conchyoline, an organic protein. Mother-of-pearl has been used for millennia for decoration and the manufacture of jewelry, objets d’art and musical instruments.

Nacre is prized for its beauty and unique optical properties, such as iridescence, which is produced by the interference of light through layers of crystals. Mother-of-pearl is also durable and resistant to scratches and shocks.

Nacre production is threatened by overfishing and ocean pollution, as well as climate change. Efforts are underway to develop sustainable pearl farming methods and to protect the habitats of nacre-producing mollusks.

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