Stone Mania

Mother of pearl which is also known as nacre, is the iridescent substance that forms the lining of the shells of some fresh and some salt water molluscs (such as mussels and oysters).

Mother of pearl has attracted the attention of human beings since the beginning of time.  These shells take their colours and forms according to the type of animal and the environment in which it lived.  Among the chief sources for Mother of pearl are the pearl oyster, found in warm and tropical seas mainly in Asia, freshwater pearl mussels which live in many rivers of the United States, Europe, and Asia and the Abalone of California, Japan, and other Pacific regions.

In ancient Egypt, decorative mother of pearl was used at least as far back as 4200 B.C.  During the 15th century, the art of mother of pearl was greatly developed into the hands of the Ottoman Turks.  It became entirely at the disposal of Turkish Islamic art and was used in the making of Koran cases, writing desks, and chests, as well as for window and door shutters, pulpits and lecterns.  It was also frequently used in the decoration and architecture of mosques and palaces.  The 17th century was the peak of achievement for the art of working with mother of pearl.

Pearl buttons was a major business in the early days of Illinois in the USA.  It is not known how early the industry started here but it is known to have been in progress in early 1900.  America began exporting billions of tons of these fasteners all over the world up until World War II, when newly invented plastic virtually drove these quality buttons out of the market.

The historical importance of mother of pearl in the eastern Pacific is evident from the first contacts between islanders and westerners.  Mother of pearl was at that time used to make a variety of tools such as fish lures, hooks, files, graters, spoons and spatulas.  At the same time it was the preferred material for the ornamentation of ceremonial costumes and for decorating the upper body.

Mother of pearl gets its name from the fact that it is the iridescent lining of a shell, where pearls grow.  It has both traditional and new age metaphysical and healing properties.  It is said to attract prosperity and is used in mystical work and healing to heighten intuition, psychic sensitivity, and imagination.  Mother of pearl is said to protect from negative influence and transmute negative energy.  Furthermore it is highly protective and a particularly potent gemstone for the protection of children.

A traditional use for mother of pearl is to purify environments.  It is also believed to be helpful for high blood pressure, dizziness, improving vision, cataracts and the healing of wounds.

The following links offer further reading on mother of pearl 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother-of-pearl

http://www.gemstoneeducation.com/MotherofPearl.htm