Quick Word on MOP
Type 1 – River (Standard Grade and Value for Money)
They are naturally White in colour Fresh Water Shells, and we call them “Double White”, normally polished on both sides, however, some may not be, they are relatively strong and do not brittle easy. They come In two main colours, the Natural White, or Smoked Grey, which is processed in oven and the heat turns them into Grey, it will be permanent though after baking; an economical alternative to the “Black Lip” which are the more expensive ones because of it’s rarity.
Type 2 – Black Lip (More Expensive & very Elegant)
These are Sea Shells used for culturing “Black Pearls” because of it’s natural coloured shells, and they are very elegant, with shimmering colours shining through it’s original Blue Grey Colour, like Pinkish Aurora Bolearis vaguely shining through a Dark Background of Blue and Grey. They are strong, classy and make your clothes look very elegant and stylish, a nice set of Black Lip MOP can really make your garment stand out from the rest.
Type 3 – Trochus (Just as Expensive, very Classy & Elegant)
These are Natural White in colour and have tiny Red or Black Patches of Colours on the reverse, these colour are naturally embedded in the shell, for thicker shells, it can be polished away. The front face is shimmering white like no others, it glows in it’s natural beauty and having them on Shirts and Blouses definitely stand out. They are strong and difficult to make because of it’s shape (Tall and pointed at it’s end). The tall shell produces limited area in each shell to be cut into shape, hence rather expensive, but there again, very luxurious look and well worth employing.
Type 4 – Abalone (Most Expensive, especially with the larger size from ø20.0mm in diameter upward).
Most manufacturers avoid making them now, due to the rarity of large shells and the prices have rocketed in the past couple of years. They are extremely hard and again with shimmering tints of colours shining through it’s slighty Pinkish front face, they normally have unpolished rears, and are reddish brown in colour. Majority of them are uneven but very smooth on the front, and somewhat crooked and bent at it's rear, which are hard to imitate. One cannot polish it down flat as this will remove all it’s glory. Great for Cardigans, Shirts. Blouses and even Sports Jackets, giving that tough and rugged look. They are however very elegant on some clothing materials like silk, shifon and wool, giving a natural and shimmering glamour to the outfit.