Work Processes involved with Mother of Pearl

All our work in Mother of Pearl is handmade although we do use some machines for precision where necessary. Below are pictures of some of the processes involved.
Cutting Mother of pearl Shell

Cutting a whole mother of pearl shell

Grinding Process

Grinding a slab to remove faults and produce the basic handle outline
Heading the handle

Producing the rounded head shape for the Handle.
Drilling a hole in the handle.

Drilling a hole in the handle to allow for the tang of a blade.
Facing Pearl

Putting a flat true side on one face of the MOP.
Shaping Mother of Pearl.

Grinding a piece of pearl to uniform width.
Thicknessing Pearl

Pearl being taken down to precision thickness.
Buffing Mother of Pearl

Polishing MOP on a dolly wheel.


Click here for tips on working Mother of Pearl






Copyright W Gillott & Son (pearl works ) Ltd 2001

This website designed and built by W Gillott & Son (Pearl Works) Ltd. If you would like us to build a site for you click here for more information.