Quartz is one of the most common minerals, making up almost 12% of the Earth’s crust It is also known as silicon dioxide and is encountered in sedimentary and volcanic rocks. When found at high temperature during the last phase of its precipitation, quartz crystallizes within only a few months. It is mined in Brazil, Japan, America and Switzerland.
Mother of Pearl (MOP) is the material that covers the inside surface of pearl mollusks, which has been used to create jewelry and other decorative objects. It is hard, white and iridescent, while its colorful variety is called “abalone”.
Mother of pearl is sometimes confused with ivory.