Handcraft Your Chinese Mother-of-Pearl Jewelry

Mother of Pearl Inlay is a traditional Chinese craft with over a thousand years of history — and in this two-hour workshop, you'll practice it firsthand using real materials.

You'll cut and arrange fragments of genuine abalone and butterfly shell onto your chosen jewelry base — brooch, earrings, necklace, or bracelet. Each shell carries its own natural iridescence, produced by light refracting through microscopic layers. No dye, no coating — the color shifts as you move. No two pieces ever look the same.

Your instructor speaks fluent English and guides every step. No prior experience needed. The session takes place at China Culture Land in central Shanghai, directly accessible on Metro Line 9.