mother-of-pearl
Lustrous shell lining
Mother-of-pearl is the iridescent inner layer of certain mollusk shells, especially oysters and abalones.
The material has been prized for centuries in jewelry, buttons, and decorative inlays.
Its lustrous, rainbow-shifting surface gives rise to the adjective pearlescent.
Also called nacre.
Iridescent shell coating
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
- layersStacked levels or coatings
- lamellaeThin parallel plates
- compositeMade of distinct parts
crystalline · brittle · thin · delicate · durable · natural · harvested · polished
Nacreous marine gastropod
Tremulous, wavering light
- opalescentShowing milky iridescence
- pearlescentShowing soft iridescence
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
- sheenSoft surface luster
gleam · rainbow · prismatic · luminous · glimmer · glossy · reflective · radiant
Embedded surface ornamentation
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
lacquerware · filigree · intarsia · scrollwork · fretwork · furniture · fans · boxes
nacre
Iridescent shell coating
composite · crystalline · brittle · thin · delicate · durable · natural · harvested · polished · carved
abalone
Nacreous marine gastropod
shimmer
Tremulous, wavering light
- opalescentShowing milky iridescence
- pearlescentShowing soft iridescence
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
sheen · gleam · rainbow · prismatic · luminous · glimmer · glossy · reflective · radiant · sparkle
inlay
Embedded surface ornamentation
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
mosaic · lacquerware · filigree · intarsia · scrollwork · fretwork · furniture · fans · boxes · handles
pendant
Suspended jewelry ornament
bracelet · cufflinks · buttons · inlay · cameo · beads · choker · locket · clasp · charm
- shell materialsabalone, oyster shell, mussel shell, conch, nautilus
- beachcombingseashell, shells, driftwood, sea glass, sand dollar
- light effectsshine, glow, gleam, shimmer, glitter
- sheenluster, shine, gloss, sheen, gleam
- iridescenceoil slick, soap bubble, nacre, opal, peacock feather
- shell jewelryshell buttons, wampum, cameo, nacre
mother-of-pearlmatte
Non-reflective surface finish
dull · lusterless · unpolished · rough-hewn · crude
mother-of-pearlmatte
Non-reflective surface finish
flat finish · unpolished · rough-hewn · flat black · non-reflective
mother, pearl, maternal, matriarch, maternity, matrimonial, matriarchy, matriarchal, matrilineal