Ask the Experts Shell Q&A

I have two matching huge giant clam shells. They lived outside my parents’ house in Kent in the wind and rain for 50 years and kept the beautiful mother-of-pearl inside. After some years outside here in Bristol, they have lost the mother-of-pearl, except where the rainwater has collected. What might have caused this? Can the mother-of-pearl be restored on the rest of the shell or is it destroyed and lost forever?

As both Kent and Bristol are coastal, I am not sure why the atmosphere in Kent is easier on shell than that of Bristol. While there is no natural way to restore the beauty of natural nacre, there are products (not available at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads) that can offer mother-of-pearl glaze. Try searching for “mother of pearl overglaze." We suggest, if you do try that, testing it in a small spot to see if it gives you the result you want. Good luck!

- Patti