Question:
Hi, everyone. I'm new to the group, so please have some patience with me. I know nothing about jewelery, but I bought this for my g/f for Christmas, since she likes MOP:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...tem=5062969146
A Wikipedia search turned up nothing on Whiting and Davis. What's the deal with this MOP? Is is likely real, or fake? Would it be solid MOP, or a layer on top of a base of a different material? What's the difference between pearl and MOP, since pearls are small and MOP can be had in larger sheets?
Is this a cheap piece of costume jewelery, or something that was halfway decent at the time? The seller guesstimated it to be from the 1950's or 60's.
Many thanks for any assistance you can give a newbie.
Cheers,
Chris
Answer:
Chris, welcome to here!

I don't really know anything about Whiting & Davis jewelry but I have bought/sold a few of their purses over the years. Here is a link that has a little information at the top:

http://www.collectorsindex.com/wdavis.htm

If you scroll down about halfway, you will find what I believe to be the bracelet that matches the necklace you bought your girlfriend. I would ask the seller for a better photo just to make sure. You will note this seller says it is abalone instead of MOP as your eBay seller states. Because abalone and MOP are similar, I find it hard to tell from photos.

TheAuctionQueen
Answer:
Hi Chris,
whiting and Davis is a well-known costume jewelry designer even more known for their purses.
http://www.collectorsindex.com/wdavis.htm
You can google and find lots of info on them.
I'm no expert, but my understanding is that MOP is the inside lining/layer of the shell as opposed to be formed from a foreign object as a pearl is.
LOL! Auctionqueen beat me to it.
Answer:
Because abalone and MOP are similar According to this dictionary definition they are the same. Bolding mine
abalone (ăbəlō'nē) , popular name in the United States for a univalve gastropod mollusk of the genus Haliotis, members of which are also called ear shells, or sea ears, as their shape resembles the human ear. The shell provides a rooflike covering for the abalone and is perforated by a row of holes on one side through which the animal respires. The iridescent mother-of-pearl shell lining is used to make buttons and other articles
Answer:
Nice item. Apears to be MOP.
Oh and the diferance to jewelers lapidary is usualy the collor of the shell and what shell it comes from.
Answer:
Wow, thanks a lot for the quick and detailed replies! They're much appreciated. It's funny how I never thought about the difference between pearls and MOP until now. I like knives, and had a beautiful William Henry T12 with MOP inlays on the handles, it never occured to me to wonder what part of the mollusk it came from.
Thanks again. The seller said that it looked like genuine MOP to her. Either way, I think it's a cool little vintage piece, and I'm sure my g/f will like it.
Cheers,
Chris