As sustainability becomes an increasing concern in this day and age, there is an ever growing pool of consumers looking for sustainable alternatives in every part of their life; from fashion and jewelry to dietary choices. Beautiful and timeless, it’s also one of the world’s most sustainable gemstones, mother of pearl. Mother of pearl stone is often known for its iridescent glow and wealthy appeal, but it is also a stone with qualities that make it not just a beautiful addition so as to any jewelry collection, but also a considered, eco–conscious selection for environmentally aware people.
This blog will cover why mother of pearl stone is a sustainable option for jewelry, from where they come from, what the benefits are, and what the benefits are to the environment.
What is Mother of Pearl?
Nacre or mother of pearl is the smooth iridescent inner layer of some mollusc shells, principally those of oysters and abalones. These creatures naturally make it over time to shield their soft insides from parasites or debris. When the mollusk grows, it secretes layer after layer of the substance, creating the beautiful, shimmering surface for which both jewelry and interior design covet.
Natural and Renewable Natural Resource
Mother of pearl is also a natural byproduct of mollusks and is considered one of the key reasons mother of pearl is an eco-friendly choice for jewelry.
Waste Minimization: Using mother of pearl reduces waste created by the seafood industry. Being shells otherwise discarded, they are given a new life as sustainable materials for jewellery and accessories.
Renewable Resource: Mother of pearl is only taken from mollusks as long as mollusks continue growing and producing shells, so it’s a renewable resource. Unlike many gemstones, it does not mine or deforest and is therefore much more sustainable.
Biodegradable and Non-Toxic
While many synthetic materials or gemstones require dangerous, energy consuming processes to make, mother of pearl is completely biodegradable and harmless. Because mother of pearl is a natural composition it is harmless to the environment if dropped. It’s also not destructive to ecosystems — unless it’s sourced irresponsibly.
Environmentally Safe: Mother of pearl is environmentally friendly because of the natural elements found in its composition, which have no bad effect on the land, air or water.
Non-Toxic: Mother of pearl is unlike some synthetic gems and metals, both in that it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals that could be released into the environment.
The Ethical Sourcing of Mother of Pearl
Mother of pearl’s sourcing is another way that it is a sustainable solution. Although it is critical to guarantee that mollusks are not hurt amid the gathering process, a great many adornments brands are considering accountable and moral sourcing rehearses.
Regulated Harvesting: Mother of pearl is harvested in a way that keeps marine ecosystems in balance – sustainable jewelry brands make sure that happens. In addition, ethical suppliers abide by strict regulations so that their sourcing practice does not hurt surrounding local wildlife populations or ecosystems.
Traceability: A number of jewelry makers have worked hard in making their materials flows more transparent by tracing the journey the materials take, so that the mother of pearl they use is derived from sustainable, certified sources. Explore some other similar gemstones such as opal stone, Labradorite and Malachite stone.
Minimal Environmental Impact
On a much smaller environmental footprint mother of pearl jewelry extraction and manufacturing processes tend to have much smaller environmental footprint than other materials. For one, traditional ‘gem-stones’ – like diamonds and rubies – demand enormous mining and in many cases, the practice is harmful… including deforestation and soil erosion. Although, mother of pearl does no harm to the environment as it is collected from the shells of mollusks without damaging the environment.
Less Energy-Intensive: Converting the mother of pearl into jewelry is a low key process compared to that of other gemstones’ mining, cutting and so on.
Low Carbon Footprint: Many mother of pearls jewelry is less carbon consuming, since it involves fewer steps and resource consumption in the production process.
Durability and Longevity
Working into the mother of pearl jewelry also makes it durable, another element that makes it sustainable. If taken care of, mother of pearls can last for centuries which means you can even pass it down as heirlooms and you wouldn’t have to keep mining new materials or producing them.
Timeless Appeal: Versatile, elegant and timeless, mother of pearl will help you go a long way. Unlike trendy jewelry pieces that are not sure to find good use when the current fashion flow is over, mother of pearl is a style for generations to come making sure it wouldn’t go to waste.
Durable and Long-Lasting: When it comes to the mother of pearl jewelry, with proper care, it is built to last and will withstand wear well enough for you to enjoy it for decades to come.
Conclusion
Since the consumers are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment and thus deciding to move towards choosing a sustainable alternative in each aspect of life, including jewellery, it has never been more vital. From an eco and ethical point of view, mother of pearl is also a fantastic alternative of pure beauty for those wanting to make a conscious choice when it comes to their accessories. Mother of pearl stone was designed with beauty in mind – from its natural and renewable origins, to its low environmental impact and limitless appeal. If you get a mother of pearl jewelry, you will not only get it as an outstanding piece of your collection but will also support sustainable and environmentally friendly practices creating a more sustainable and greener world.
