Prized for its lustrous iridescence, mother-of-pearl has been used for thousands of years in the production of jewelry, as an ornamental inlay or overlay for musical instruments and furniture, and for other decorative purposes.
Several branches of the Armed Forces of the United States specifically authorize and provide guidance on the wear of mother-of-pearl cuff links and studs. In the United States Army, mother-of-pearl studs and cuff links, with or without rims of white gold or platinum, are worn by males with the Army Blue Evening Mess uniform. Mother-of-pearl cuff links and studs are a required component of the Navy’s male and female Formal Dress (Dinner Dress Blue Jacket), and the Air Force authorizes pearl-centered studs.