White Mother of Pearl - Pinctada Maxima

Grade Definitions

Presentation Grade is the highest grade of Mother of Pearl obtainable. This grade of pearl has no fractures, defects, discoloration, holes or unfavorable markings.
"A+" Grade is very similar to Presentation grade. Usually, this grade will have one very minor flaw at one end of the scale. This flaw will usually include yellow coloration, and/or a slight fracture. Usually, this flaw can be cut around or trimmed away.
"A" Grade is also a very high grade of pearl. Pieces will have a flawless front side. The reverse side will generally have minor shallow fractures, some yellow coloration, and/or a slight worm hole that can be avoided.
"B" Grade is still a workable grade of Mother of Pearl and is commonly used by beginning knife makers or knife makers that make relatively inexpensive knives. "B" grade Mother of Pearl will still have a flawless front side. The reverse side will have some deeper fractures, more discoloration, a larger worm hole that has been filled, and/or some exterior bark.

Pricing and Sizes

The following chart shows the pricing for some of the more popular "standard" sizes that we usually have available in stock. If none of the sizes below comply with the needs of your project, we do often cut specific sizes upon request. All of the prices below are per pair (two pieces) in US Dollars.

Size in Inches
Pres. Grade
A+ Grade
A Grade
B Grade
Size in MM
2 1/2 x 7/8 x .100
$53.00
$40.00
$29.00
$18.00
63.5 x 22.25 x 2.5
2 3/4 x 3/4  x  .100
$49.50
$37.50
$27.00
$19.00
69.85 x 19.0 x 2.5
2 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/8
$58.00
$45.50
$33.00
$23.00
69.85 x 19.0 x 3.0
2 3/4 x 1 x .100
$72.00
$55.00
$42.00
$25.00
69.85 x 25.4 x 2.5
2 3/4 x 1 x 1/8
$88.00
$69.00
$50.00
$31.00
69.85 x 25.4 x 3.0
3 x 1 x .100
$78.00
$60.00
$45.00
$27.00
76 x 25.4 x 2.5
3 x 1 x 1/8
$96.00
$75.00
$54.00
$33.00
76 x 25.4 x 3.0
3 1/4 x 1 1/8 x .100
$96.00
$74.00
$55.00
$33.00
82.55 x 28.6 x 2.5
3 1/4 x 1 1/8 x 1/8
$117.00
$92.00
$66.00
$41.00
82.55 x 28.6 x 3.0
3 1/4 x 1 1/8 x 5/32
$147.00
$117.00
$81.00
$50.00
82.55 x 28.6 x 4.0
3 1/2 x 1 1/4 x .100
$123.00
$97.00
$70.00
$40.00
89 x 31.75 x 2.5
3 1/2 x 1 1/4 x 1/8
$154.00
$119.00
$84.00
$49.00
89 x 31.75 x 3.0
3 1/2 x 1 1/4 x 5/32
$189.00*
$149.00*
$101.00
$60.00
89 x 31.75 x 4.0
3 1/2 x 1 1/4 x 3/16
$228.00*
$184.00*
$123.00*
$70.00*
89 x 31.75 x 4.8
4 1/8 x 1 1/8 x .100
$130.00
$103.00
$75.00
$42.00
105 x 28.6 x 2.5
4 1/8 x 1 1/8 x 1/8
$163.00*
$126.00
$89.00
$52.00
105 x 28.6 x 3.0
4 1/8 x 1 1/8 x 5/32
$200.00*
$158.00*
$107.00
$63.00
105 x 28.6 x 4.0
4 1/8 x 1 1/8 x 3/16
$242.00*
$195.00*
$130.00*
$75.00*
105 x 28.6 x 4.8

* indicates sizes and/or thicknesses that may not always be readily available.

The charts below illustrate pricing per square inch and are based on the total square inches of the pair.

For example:  a pair of 3" x 1" scales measures  6 total square inches
Under 5 sq. inches
Pres. Grade
A+ Grade
A Grade
B Grade
  
.100" thickness
$12.00
$9.00
$6.50
$4.00
 
1/8" thickness
$14.00
$11.00
$8.00
$5.50
 
5/32" thickness
$17.00
$13.00
$10.50
$7.00
 
           
5 sq. in to 7.5 sq. in.
Pres. Grade
A+ Grade
A Grade
B Grade
  
.100" thickness
$13.00
$10.00
$7.50
$4.50
 
1/8" thickness
$16.00
$12.50
$9.00
$5.50
 
5/32" thickness
$20.00
$16.00
$11.00
$6.75
 
3/16" thickness
$25.00
$20.00
$13.50
$8.00
 
           
7.5 sq. in & over
Pres Grade
A+ Grade
A Grade
B Grade
  
.100" thickness
$14.00
$11.00
$8.00
$4.50
 
1/8" thickness
$17.50
$13.50
$9.50
$5.50
 
5/32" thickness
$21.50
$17.00
$11.50
$6.75
 
3/16" thickness
$26.00
$21.00
$14.00
$8.00
 

We specialize in custom cut sizes and, unlike our imitators, actually process our material in our factory in North Carolina.  We offer the highest in quality, customer service and guarantees and never charge a ridiculous restocking fee!! We are the direct source and not the middleman!! Since 1976, we have been the often imitated but never duplicated benchmarks of the industry, become a customer and see why we are superior to the competition.

Goldlip Mother of Pearl - Pinctada Maxima
Goldlip Mother of Pearl or Pinctada Maxima is scientifically the same as White M.O.P. only that Gold is taken from the reverse side of the shell. Good quality dark Gold shells come from the waters surrounding the Philippines and parts of Indonesia. Goldlip shells will yield both Gold pieces from the edges as well as colorful white pieces from the inside of the shell. While this gives us two valuable but distinctly different colors, it is not desirable to have both colors showing on the surface of any piece. Goldlip is priced based on depth of color and iridescence. A good quality pair of Goldlip size 2 3/4" x 1" x .100" will usually cost between $35.00 and $50.00. Please call for current availability and price.
Blacklip Mother of Pearl - Pinctada Margaritifera
Blacklip Mother of Pearl or Pinctada Margaritifera is probably one of the most exclusive pearls in demand in today's knife and instrument market. It comes from small shells found in French Polynesia around Tahiti and its Archipelagos. Just under the exterior bark of the shell is where the real beauty of the Blacklip shell lies. Like Goldlip, Blacklip has a black/grey color around the lip of the shell. Also, like Goldlip, Blacklip is priced by the depth of color and iridescence. A nice pair of Blacklip will have every color of the rainbow in its iridescent black background. A pair is considered large if it has a usable area of 2 1/2/" x 7/8" x .080". Usually, a nice quality pair of this size will cost $60.00 and up. Please call for availability and price.
NOTE: Currently, Blacklip is at an all time low with regards to availability. Some larger orders are taking several months to deliver due to the shortage of quality large shells.
Red Abalone or Haliotis Refuscens
Red Abalone or Haliotis Refuscens is a very exclusive material that has a demand much greater than its supply. The Red Abalone shell comes from just off the Northern California/Southern Oregon coast. It's name is a bit deceiving, it isn't red at all but gets its name from the exterior bark which has a very red or pink tint. Most shells are not large enough to yield realistic knife handles. This combined with their tendency to be full of holes created by boring sponges, makes for only about 2% of all abalone harvested worth cutting. Abalone has two areas that are of particular interest to knife makers. First, there is the lip section which has a bulls-eye type pattern where iridescent pools of color blend together in a random larger pattern. Second, the heart section has a tight pattern of different colors and reveals the illusion of depth on the surface. Neither is more expensive than the other; it's only a matter of personal choice. A large pair of abalone will get as large 3" x 1" x 1/8" and if it has good quality will cost as much as $100.00. Other abalones include Blue-Green Paua from New Zealand, Awabi from Japan, and Green abalone from Mexico and Southern California. Most of these rarely get large enough to make a full exposed handle and are primarily used for interframes or inlays. Most pieces are cut to order. Please call for the latest in availability and prices. Please see Mosaic Abalone.

Pink Pearl
Pink Freshwater Pearl is found in lakes in the Mid-Western United States. Large Pink Pearl is a diminishing resource. Unlike the saltwater pearls, Pink Pearl doesn't have a lot of iridescence. It has a pale pink color. Large pieces can range anywhere from 2" x 3/4" x .100" to 3" x 1" x 1/8". Pink Pearl is priced by the square inch. For example, a nice matched pair of Pink Pearl, 3" x 1" x 1/8" will cost approximately $65.00. Please call for availability and prices.