Difference Between Abalone and Mother of Pearl

Abalone vs Mother of Pearl

It is really confusing when someone asks the difference between Abalone and Mother of Pearl. It is confusing in the sense that one refers to the shell and the other refers to the organism inside the shell. Both the words Abalone and Mother of Pearl are interchangeable that people do not see much difference between them.

Mother of Pearl is a layer of lines inside the shells of molluscs. Also known as Nacre, the Mother of Pearl is a shining layer that forms inside the shell. Abalone and pearl oysters are known as good source of Mother of Pearl. The Mother of Pearl is mainly used to decorate jewelry, musical instruments and furniture. The mother of pearl is actually a protecting shield that mollusks create. The Mother of Pearl also protects the Mullocks from infections and also reduces the irritation caused by organic materials that enter the shell.

What is Abalone? Abalone belongs to a family of seashells and is a delicious gastropod. The abalone has a shell that resembles the ear. The shell of Abalone has an elevated apex towards the center. The inside of Abalone resembles the Mother of Pearl and the Abalone shell is mainly used in jewelry inlays and musical instruments.

It can also be seen that abalone has a more dark rainbow shades when compared to Mother of Pearl, which has a milky white shade.

While Mother of Pearl can be got from a variety of marine and freshwater shellfish, Abalone is not found in abundance. Moreover, the harvest of Abalone is also limited.

Summary

1. Both the words Abalone and Mother of Pearl are interchangeable that people do not see much difference between them.

2. Mother of Pearl is a layer of lines inside the shells of molluscs. It is also known as Nacre.

3. The mother of pearl is actually a protecting shield that mollusks create. The Mother of Pearl also protects the Mullocks from infections and also reduces the irritation caused by organic materials that enter the shell.

4. Abalone belongs to a family of seashells and is a delicious gastropod. Abalone and pearl oysters are known as good source of Mother of Pearl.

5. Abalone has a more dark rainbow shades when compared to Mother of Pearl, which has a milky white shade.

6. While Mother of Pearl can be got from a variety of marine and freshwater shellfish, Abalone is not found in abundance. Abalone harvest is also limited.

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