Size: 10mm(40 pearls per string) A pearl made from shell is laboratory made from the shell of an oyster. The process of making a shell pearl involves several different stages. The raw material for the base of the pearl is the sea shell, which is coated and polished to the final shape of the pearl. In order to produce a good quality pearl, a key ingredient is what we call a 'mother of pearl bead'. This element adds weight, value and durability to the pearl. In fact, the materials used in order to make shell fake pearls are the same materials from which cultured pearls are made.