Home » Beading Definition: Nacre
Nacre
Nacre is the basic substance that is secreted by oysters and mollusks to form the inside of their shells. When nacre secretions are deposited around a foreign substance, which has invaded the mollusk's body, they build up to form a pearl.
Nacre is composed of layers of calcium carbonate and conchiolin (an organic protein substance which provides bonding). The specific luster, iridescence, and coloring of nacre -- and, therefore, of any pearl that it forms -- depends on the number and thickness of the various layers, as well as on whether or not the layers overlap one another.
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