The oyster or mussel slowly secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin, materials that also make up its shell. This creates a material called nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, which encases the ...

Pearls are the result of a mollusc's reaction to irritants such as parasites that enter its shell. Although model pearls are perfectly round and smooth, in reality they come in a huge number of shapes ...

Irish marine enthusiasts can vote for their favourite mollusc in the annual "Mollusc of the Year" award until March 31st ...