Southern Pearl Girls Explain Mabe vs Blister Pearl

Since I do lots of pearl posts,I have been asked what is the difference between a mabe pearl and a blister pearl by people trying to learn more about pearls.  Typically they have seen one or the other offered on a TV shopping channel and want to know why they might want it in their jewelry collection.  

The way this Texas Pearl Girl answers is that a blister pearl is a pearl that is actually growing on the inside of the host mussel or clam shell.  Blister pearl jewelry usually includes part of the mother-of-pearl shell when they cut widely around the pearl to make a necklace or earrings.  The blister may be centered for a strand or it could be at the top or bottom of a large cut of shell for more interesting pendant  Sometimes you even get bonus blisters! If you like this natural look, then consider blisters for your collection.  Blisters may be just drilled holes in the shell to hang from an earring finding or a chain.  Or they may be in silver-tone, gold-tone, copper, or other metal settings - including sterling silver.

If you like a more classic look, then go for a mabe instead.  A mabe is typically a blister pearl cut completely off of the shell and then mounted without any shell around it.  Mabes are more expensive, possibly because of the precision cutting required.  However part of the cost is that they are in jewelry quality metals like gold or .925 silver.  Although most pearl mabes are often found in vintage or estate jewelry - it has been making a comeback in the last couple of years.  The natural blue and pink colors are the most prized but white is the most traditional. However, less pearl farmers are taking the time to culture mabes, so they may go up in price as they may end-up being rare again.   

Instead of looking for images of blisters and mabes, I thought a video would make it easier to understand. Below is a video by one of the southern Pearl Girls from Georgia with her explanation of mabes.  To find out more about their store and their repair functions, check out ThePearlGirls website or find their other videos on YouTube.