What Are Mabe Pearls (Blister Pearls) - How They're Made and Used in Jewelry

Mabe pearls are hemispherical cultured pearls formed on the inner shell of a mollusk. Producers attach a nucleus to the shell, let nacre build a dome, then cut, polish and back the pearl for jewelry. They're graded by color, luster, size and surface quality and are popular for studs and low-profile settings. Care involves gentle cleaning and avoiding chemicals; production practices vary, so request farm information if ethics matter to you.

What is a Mabe (blister) pearl?

Mabe pearls - often called blister pearls - are hemispherical cultured pearls grown on the inside curve of a mollusk's shell rather than inside the animal's soft body. Jewelers cut and back these pearls to create domed, half-pearls that are commonly set into earrings, pendants and brooches.

How Mabe pearls are produced

A technician attaches a nucleus to the inner shell surface, over which the mollusk deposits nacre. Over time the nacre builds into a dome-shaped blister. Producers remove the shell section, grind and polish the convex surface, then back the flat side (commonly with resin and a mother-of-pearl disk) to stabilize and finish the piece.

The process can take multiple seasons of nacre deposition; producers typically allow a year or more for adequate growth before harvesting . Nacre layers for Mabe pearls are thinner than for fully formed round pearls; published thickness ranges vary and should be checked against manufacturer specs ¹.

Sorting and quality criteria

Mabe pearls are graded by color, luster, size and surface quality. Typical commercial diameters start around small sizes used for studs and can reach large domes for statement pieces; exact size ranges depend on producer and species ². Surface imperfections are common and affect grading and price.

Modern production and design

Cultured pearl farming continues worldwide, and Mabe pearls remain a specialty product in the pearl industry. Jewelers use gold, silver and other gemstones to create settings that showcase the domed shape. Because the flat back allows secure mounting, Mabe pearls are popular in symmetrical stud earrings and in pieces where a low profile on the wearer's skin is desired.

Care and considerations

Treat Mabe pearls like other nacre-based pearls: avoid acidic chemicals, perfumes and prolonged exposure to water or heat. Clean them with a soft cloth and store them separately to prevent scratches. If a piece is backed with resin, avoid solvents that could soften the backing.

Ethical and environmental notes

Pearl farming methods and animal welfare practices vary by producer. Some farms emphasize low-impact techniques and reuse of mollusks where possible; others differ. If animal welfare or environmental practice matters to you, ask the retailer for information about the farm and its certification or sustainability practices.

1. Confirm typical growth time for Mabe pearls (quoted "a year or more") for current commercial practices.
2. Verify published nacre thickness ranges for Mabe pearls compared to fully formed round cultured pearls.
3. Confirm common commercial size ranges for Mabe pearls (minimum and maximum diameters) in 2025 markets.
4. Verify statements about animal welfare impacts and whether many farms reuse mollusks or emphasize low-impact techniques.