How is Mother of Pearl Jewelry Made

Posted under Jewelry by admin on January 28th, 2012 10:30 pm

Mother of gem, also known to as nacre, is definitely an iridescent coating found within certain mollusks. Mollusks present in physiques of salt and freshwater like the Gulf, Gulf of Panama and Australias Great Barrier Reef produce mother of gem by secreting fine proteins inside the shells. Creating jewelry with this particular hydrated gem, which entails cutting, inlaying or sprucing up, requires different care in addition to tools than whenever using other media.

Sprucing up Mother of Gem with Sandpaper

Most jewelry designers polish mother of gem with fine sandpaper. Although 1,000-grit sandpaper is the best for sprucing up, no less than 600 grit also is effective. The sandpaper should also function as the wet and dry type. While you dab mom of gem with water, sand it and wipe away water and mud having a clean soft cloth. Repeat the process before the mother of gem is polished, generally showing a glossy whitened or iridescent finish. It is crucial to put on a protective mask and eyeglasses when sanding. The residue from sanding mother of gem is dangerous.

Sprucing up Compounds

Jewelry retailers also employ sprucing up compounds for example French chalk. The lubricating qualities create a high luster and sheen when employed for sprucing up. French chalk, also known to as talc stone, soapstone or steatite, is carefully powdered talc.

Cutting

Jewelry retailers frequently make use of a jewelry retailers saw to chop mother of gem designs. Wood scrap is frequently accustomed to offer the spend blank. The wood is situated beneath the mother of gem and held with clamps to the work surface. The saw reduces the form from the jewelry design. Other tools for example drills and burrs will also be employed for cutting.

Inlaying Mother of Gem

Jewelry designers frequently use inlay strategies to create elaborate pieces for example wood-laden pendants. The look mixture of wood and mother of gem creates a wealthy contrast. A designer generally uses the flat side from the mother of pearls spend or sands the spend flat. After routing the wood, the designer will inlay the cut mother of gem pieces and arrange the look inside the hollowed wood, using epoxy cement to secure it in position.

Mother of Gem and Adhesive

Creating your jewelry design with mother of gem generally entails other media for example metal. Although most artists use epoxy cement, select a brand which has a two-part epoxy cement ratio. If this dries, the cement cures water obvious. Don’t use any brand that cures water within an amber tone, that will improve your jewelry design. The merchandise is usually offered at rock or craft supply stores.

Care and Maintenance

Mother of gem is categorized like a hydrated gem. Keep your jewelry inside a awesome place, free from humidity, extreme warmth or sunlight. Mom of gem surface includes a inclination to hack and becomes brittle once it gets dry. Every several days, wipe the jewelry having a moist cloth to avoid the top from drying out.

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