Also known as blister pearls, Mabe pearls are actually 1/2 to 3/4 pearls - formed against the inside of the shell instead of in the tissue of the host mollusk.
These semi-spherical pearls are cut out of the shell, then filled and closed with a mother-of-pearl backing.
Set in large pearl earrings or rings, or as the centerpiece of a pearl bracelet, mabe pearls lend a touch of bold sophistication.