Mother of Pearl

Calcium carbonate (aragonite, calcite) with organic substance (conchiolin)
General Information
Other Names/Trade Names:
Physical Properties of Mother of Pearl
Mohs Hardness2.5 to 4.5
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Specific Gravity2.65 to 2.87
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Optical Properties of Mother of Pearl
Refractive Index1.53 to 1.69
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Birefringence0.16
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
ChatoyancyYes
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Colour
Colour (General)White, gray, silvery, golden yellow, yellow, blue-green, bronze colour, rose-pink, red, brown, black. Partly banded
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
TransparencyOpaque
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
LustrePearly
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Further Information
Mineral information:Mother of Pearl information at mindat.org
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