Mabe pearls, also called blister pearls, are unique in how they’re created. Grown attached to the inside of the shell, mabe pearls are hemispherical in shape.
Their dome shape distinguishes them from other pearl types and gives mabe pearl jewelry a unique look.
Let’s take a look at what mabe pearls are and whether they’re worth the money.
How Are Mabe Pearls Cultivated?
Mabe pearls are cultivated from the Penguin oyster, Pteria sterna or the Pinctada maxima (responsible for the prestigious south sea pearls).
To form mabe pearls, a small irritant is attached to the shell, rather than into the mantle tissue of the mollusk as is common with pearls. This becomes the nucleus for the mabe pearl.
The oyster is then left to do its work and over time, secretes nacre over the irritant. Naturally, the pearl forming becomes one-sided, because the shell blocks the other side.
When the pearls are ready, they look as they do in this image:
They’re grown into the shell and need to be cut out and processed. When the pearl is cut out, it typically has a hollow inside where the nucleus was.
This then needs to be filled in with resin and lidded with a piece of mother of pearl. Once polished, it’s impossible to say that a mabe pearl isn’t a solid nacre pearl.
If you cut a mabe pearl in half, what you’ll see is a layer of nacre inside of which is a filling of resin ending with a flat layer of mother of pearl.
Why Mabe Pearls?
While traditional pearls have their many benefits, mabe pearls offer a different range of pros.
For one thing, these pearls are intriguing in their appeal. On the one hand they look like your average pearl, but a closer look shows their unique dome-like shape. They make for excellent jewelry, especially in pearl stud earrings and pendants.
These half-pearls are also very affordable, compared to a full-sized pearl of similar quality. For example, a fully formed White South Sea pearl can cost upwards of $1000 while a similar mabe pearl might just set you back about $100 or less. If you’re on a budget, you can still get the look of the South Sea pearl without the huge cost.
Another thing that people like about mabe pearls is the comfort of the shape. Fully formed pearls are round in shape and don’t always rest against your chest or ears as you’d like. Because of mabe pearls’ flat back, they sit flush against your skin comfortably.
Types of Mabe Pearls
Mabe pearls can come in any type of pearl variety because they’re not a type of pearl but rather the product of a change in the pearl harvesting process.
The silver-lipped Pinctada maxima produces white mabe pearls with cream or rose overtones while the gold-lipped oyster produces golden hued mabe pearls.
The Pteria penguin, also known as the winged oyster, is the most common producer of mabe pearls. This creature creates mabe pearls that are white, rose, golden or champagne in color.
If you’re after iridescent and colorful mabe pearls, then you won’t be able to find more colorful ones than those created by the abalone. These pearls are the perfect option if you want a pop of color from your mabe pearl jewelry.
Find these abalone mabe pearls here.
Sea of Cortez mabe pearls are also stunning but are extremely rare so getting your hands on them might be difficult.
Characteristics of Mabe Pearls
The most obvious and noticeable characteristic that sets the mabe pearl apart from other types is obviously its shape. However, while they’re typically dome- shaped, they can also be elongated, as in teardrop shapes or similar.
In terms of size, mabe pearls are generally measured across the diameter and given a millimeter measurement. The most common sizes range from 8.0mm to around 13.0mm.
Mabe pearls aren’t rare and this reflects in their lower price too. Also, because they’re not completely pearl, they’re often seen as less valuable.
Are Mabe Pearls Worth the Money?
Gorgeous mabe pearl earrings. See them here.
Mabe pearls are excellent if you’re looking for the look of luxurious pearls without wanting to pay the price that comes with them.
They come in a wide range of jewelry designs and because of their shape, are often made into beautiful designs not possible with other types of pearls.
Mabe pearls are definitely worth the money because they’re so affordable in the first place. However, if you’re looking for heirloom jewelry or pearls that’ll retain their value through the ages (and maybe even grow in value) then mabe pearls aren’t for you.
One thing to note:
While mabe pearls themselves are relatively affordable, the setting that they’re put into can hike the price up of the overall piece of jewelry. If combined with gold, platinum or precious gemstones, expect to pay higher prices. The brand of the designer can also significantly add to the price of the jewelry.
