The Pacific Ocean is a host for many shell species that Have existed in various forms, for 400 to 500 million years. Many shell species are considered as mother of pearl, even when they rarely produce pearl.

The jewellery industry, and eventually pearl farming, brought 2 species to the spotlight: White Mother Of Pearl of Western Australia (Pinctada Maxima) and The Black Mother of Pearl of Tahiti (Pinctada Margaritifera). Less known are the Chinese freshwater mother of pearl, or freshwater pearl mussel (Cristaria plicata) Almost totally unknown are the green snails (Turbo Marmoratus).

Are abalone species excluded from the larger family of Mother of Pearl?... No, in fact they are one of the prominent MOP species!

As it turns out, the nacre inside the shell is indeed what we call Mother of Pearl, literally as the belly that hosts secreted pearls. A pearl results from a reaction to an intruder within the shell, something the mollusk finds irritating or uncomfortable, like a fine grain of sand. In an effort to "smother the intruder", using accumulated layers or calcium carbonate, the mollusk creates a round shape that it can live with! The process can take up to 4 years...So, if you ever wondered about the meaning of mother of pearl vs pearl, think "parent vs child".

Many different species are known for their ability to generate the sometimes highly coveted pearls of nacre. Abalone Species are not farmed for their pearls but produce them in the wild. Haliotis Iris, the New Zealand Abalone Paua species, produces the most colourful ones.