Nacre

Nacre, also called mother-of-pearl, is a special material made by some molluscs. It forms the inner layer of their shells and is the main part of pearls. Nacre is strong, flexible, and has a beautiful shine that changes color in different light.

You can find nacre in many kinds of bivalves, gastropods, and cephalopods. While most mollusc shells have a simple shine, nacre makes a colorful sparkle. The inside of pearl oyster and freshwater pearl mussel shells, as well as the outer layer of cultured pearls, are all made of nacre. Other sea creatures, like some marine snails such as the Haliotidae, Trochidae, and Turbinidae, also make this material.

Physical characteristics

Nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, is made of tiny hexagonal plates of aragonite, a form of calcium carbonate. These plates are thin and wide, and they create a beautiful shimmering look because they change with the angle of the light.

The mix of these hard mineral plates and thin layers of flexible organic material makes nacre very strong. It can resist breaking and bending because the layers can move and absorb impacts, like bricks held together with mortar. This structure helps protect the shells of molluscs from damage.

Commercial sources

The main sources of mother-of-pearl come from the pearl oyster, freshwater pearl mussels, and the abalone. People have valued these materials for their beauty and strength, especially in the late 1800s.

In the 1900s, shells from the great green turban snail Turbo marmoratus and the large top snail, Tectus niloticus, were used to make pearl buttons. The trade of mother-of-pearl is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This helps protect these valuable resources.

Uses

Mother-of-pearl, also called nacre, is used in many beautiful and useful ways. In buildings, thin pieces of nacre are cut into shapes, stuck to marble, and polished to make shiny wall coverings and floor tiles. It can also be glued to fiberglass to make light, large sheets for many uses.

People also love using mother-of-pearl to make jewelry like earrings, rings, and bracelets because it shines and changes color in the light. It comes from the inner layer of mollusk shells, such as oysters and abalones. Nacre is also used to decorate musical instruments. You can find it on the keys of accordions, guitars, and even violins, adding sparkle to these instruments. It has been used for centuries in art and everyday objects, such as buttons and special spoons for serving caviar.

Manufactured nacre

In 2012, scientists made a material like nacre in a lab by copying how it grows in nature. Two years later, in 2014, they used lasers to create a special pattern in glass. This made the glass much stronger—about 200 times tougher than normal glass—because the tiny patterns helped it absorb hits and stop it from breaking.