nacre
Oyster's inner lining
Nacre is the iridescent inner layer of mollusk shells—the material that forms pearls.
Also called mother-of-pearl, it lines the shells of oysters, abalones, and mussels, prized for buttons, inlay work, and decorative objects.
The surface shimmers with rainbow colors as light refracts through microscopic layers of aragonite crystite: nacre buttons on a vintage shirt.
Iridescent inner shell coating
- oysterPearl-bearing edible mollusk
- abaloneNacreous marine gastropod
- musselEdible two-shelled mollusk
- pearl oysterMollusk yielding lustrous gems
nautilus · bivalve · clam · scallop · gastropod · mantle · shell
Iridescent inner shell coating
- opalescenceMilky, shifting luster
- pearlescentShowing soft iridescence
- shimmerTremulous, wavering light
- lusterSoft reflected light
sheen · rainbow · iridescent · gleam · glimmer · play-of-color · orient · luminosity
Iridescent inner shell coating
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
- calcium carbonateMineral in shells and marble
- lamellaeThin parallel plates
- compositeMade of distinct parts
organic · layered · coating · inlay · veneer · marquetry · ornamentation · intarsia
Embedded surface ornamentation
- buttonsSmall disc fasteners
- jewelryOrnamental personal accessories
- cameoBrief guest appearance
- carvingShaping by cutting away
decorative · ornamental · marquetry · veneer · watch dial · knife handle · guitar pick · fretboard
mother-of-pearl
Iridescent inner shell coating
pearl oyster · nautilus · bivalve · clam · scallop · gastropod · mantle · shell
mother-of-pearl
Iridescent inner shell coating
- opalescenceMilky, shifting luster
- pearlescentShowing soft iridescence
- shimmerTremulous, wavering light
luster · sheen · rainbow · iridescent · gleam · glimmer · play-of-color · orient · luminosity · refraction
mother-of-pearl
Iridescent inner shell coating
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
- calcium carbonateMineral in shells and marble
- lamellaeThin parallel plates
composite · organic · layered · coating · inlay · veneer · marquetry · ornamentation · intarsia · parquetry
inlay
Embedded surface ornamentation
carving · decorative · ornamental · marquetry · veneer · watch dial · knife handle · guitar pick · fretboard · instrument
- animal productswool, leather, hide, pelt, fur
- beachcombingseashell, shells, driftwood, sea glass, sand dollar
- layered thingslasagna, cake, onion, layer cake, plywood
- light effectsshine, glow, gleam, shimmer, glitter
- natural materialsstone, wood, clay, bone, leather
- sheenluster, shine, gloss, sheen, gleam
nacrematte
Non-reflective surface finish
rough texture · unpolished · lusterless · coarse · opaque