Mother of Pearl Jewellery: What It Is and How to Care for It
Buying guide
Mother of pearl is nacre, the iridescent layer that lines the inside of some mollusc shells. It is the same material that builds a pearl, cut flat so it can be shaped into hearts, hexagons or inlays. It is soft (pearl is 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale, according to GIA), so keep it away from perfume, acids and chlorine and wipe it with a soft cloth. Lana Al Kamal sets it in 18K gold in the Hives & Hearts collection, in white and grey, from AED 2,900 (November 2026).
Shop the Heart Mother of Pearl Necklace18K gold · Free delivery in the UAE · Pay in instalments with Tabby or Tamara (UAE and KSA) · Help on WhatsApp
By Lana Al Kamal
Founder and jewellery designer, GIA-trained, Dubai · Updated 12 November 2026
As featured in
Harper's Bazaar ArabiaEmirates WomanGrazia ArabiaJdeed MagazineKey takeaways
- Mother of pearl is nacre, the rainbow lining of a shell: the same material as pearl, but cut flat, so it is not a pearl.
- It is soft (pearl is 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale): put it on after perfume, wipe it with a soft cloth, and keep it away from chlorine.
- White mother of pearl comes in yellow gold, grey in rose gold, from AED 2,900 for heart earrings (November 2026).
What is mother of pearl made of?
Nacre is built from thin layers of a calcium carbonate mineral (aragonite) held together by an organic protein. Light bouncing between those layers creates the soft rainbow sheen, which is why mother of pearl seems to shift colour as you move. Each shell grows differently, so the sheen and natural markings differ from piece to piece. In Arabic it is called «صدف اللؤلؤ».
Pieces in this guide
Heart Mother of Pearl NecklaceAED 3,800Shop now
Heart Gray Mother of Pearl NecklaceAED 3,800Shop now
Hive Mop Bracelet★★★★★ 5.0 (1 review)AED 3,200Shop now
Is mother of pearl the same as pearl?
Same material, different thing. A pearl forms inside the mollusc as a rounded gem, layer by layer. Mother of pearl is the lining of the shell itself, cut and polished. So a mother of pearl heart is not a pearl, and a pearl necklace is not mother of pearl. If you want real pearls, the Lulu collection pairs freshwater pearls with 18K gold, for example the Lulu Pearl Bracelet at AED 3,500 (November 2026).
White or grey mother of pearl?
White mother of pearl looks bright and clean against yellow gold and suits daytime and summer. Grey mother of pearl is quieter and silvery, and Lana Al Kamal pairs it with rose gold. Both need the same care. If you are matching jewellery you already own, choose by your gold colour: white with yellow gold, such as the Heart Mother of Pearl Bracelet, or grey with rose gold, such as the Heart Gray Mother of Pearl Necklace.
What to buyHeart Mother of Pearl Necklace, AED 3,800
Which mother of pearl pieces can you buy in 18K gold?
Prices are in AED (November 2026); each product page shows the current price.
| Piece | Gold | Details | AED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart Mother of Pearl Earrings | Yellow | White mother of pearl hearts | 2,900 |
| Heart Gray Mother of Pearl Earrings | Rose | Grey mother of pearl hearts | 2,900 |
| Heart Mother of Pearl Bracelet | Yellow | White heart (0.14 ct), 0.03 ct VS diamond, 1.52 g gold | 3,200 |
| Heart Gray Mother of Pearl Bracelet | Rose | Grey heart (0.14 ct), 0.03 ct VS diamond, 1.50 g gold | 3,200 |
| Hive Mother of Pearl Bracelet | Rose | Hive motif, one VS diamond (0.03 ct) | 3,200 |
| Hive Mother of Pearl Earrings | Rose | Hive motifs with diamonds | 3,450 |
| Heart Mother of Pearl Necklace | Yellow | White heart, 0.03 ct VS diamond, 2.24 g gold | 3,800 |
| Heart Gray Mother of Pearl Necklace | Rose | Grey heart, 0.03 ct VS diamond, 2.20 g gold | 3,800 |
| Hive Mother of Pearl Choker | Rose | Short chain, Hive motif, one VS diamond | 3,800 |
| Heart Diamonds Bracelet (Double Face) | Yellow | Reversible heart: diamonds on one side, mother of pearl on the other | 4,150 |
| Heart Diamonds Necklace (Double Face) | Yellow | Reversible heart: pavé VS diamonds (0.09 ct) on one side, mother of pearl on the other | 4,200 |
The bracelet, necklace and earrings in each colour match, so you can build a set one piece at a time. The Double Face necklace page lists no production period, so it ships without the usual making time. Looking for a gift? See our gift guide for your wife and gold gifts under AED 3,500.
Is a mother of pearl bracelet good for everyday wear?
Yes, with care. A bracelet takes more knocks than a necklace, and mother of pearl can scratch or chip on a hard surface. The heart and Hive pieces are small and framed in gold, which helps. Wear it every day, but take it off for the gym, swimming, cleaning and washing up, and don't stack it tightly against chunky metal bracelets.
How do you care for mother of pearl?
- Put it on last, after perfume, lotion and hairspray have dried. Acids and alcohol dull the sheen.
- Wipe it with a soft, slightly damp cloth after wearing, then dry it.
- Don't soak it, and never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners or chemical jewellery dips.
- Keep it away from chlorine and sea water.
- Store it in its own soft pouch so diamonds and harder stones can't scratch it.
For pieces that mix gold, diamonds and softer stones, see our jewellery care guide. Malachite needs the same gentle routine: our malachite stone guide explains why, and covers every gemstone we use.
Frequently asked questions
What is mother of pearl?
Mother of pearl is nacre, the iridescent inner layer of some mollusc shells. It is the same material that forms pearls, cut and polished into flat shapes for jewellery.
Is mother of pearl a real pearl?
No. It is made of the same nacre, but it comes from the shell lining rather than forming as a rounded pearl inside the mollusc.
Is mother of pearl durable?
It is soft (GIA lists pearl at 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale), so it can scratch and is sensitive to acids, perfume and chlorine. Framed in gold and cared for gently, it suits regular wear.
Can I wear mother of pearl in the shower?
It is better not to. Soap, hot water and chlorine can dull the surface over time. Take it off before showering or swimming.
Which mother of pearl pieces does Lana Al Kamal make?
Heart bracelets, necklaces and earrings in white (yellow gold) and grey (rose gold), the Hive bracelet, choker and earrings in rose gold, and the reversible Heart Diamonds necklace and bracelet. Prices start at AED 2,900 (November 2026).
Not sure which one?
Send our team a photo or a question on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
WhatsApp our teamKeep reading
Malachite Stone: Meaning, Properties and Care in Gold Jewellery
Jewellery Gift for Your Wife: What to Choose and When
18K Gold Gifts Under AED 3,500
About Lana Al Kamal
Lana Al Kamal is an architect and jewellery designer who founded her Dubai-based fine jewellery brand in 2018. She studied at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is a member of the Dubai Chamber jewellery designers group. Every piece is made in 18K gold.
