About Us
Since 1967, Your Trusted Source for Mother-of-Pearl and Abalone Shell
Since 1967, we have been the world’s leading source for premium mother-of-pearl (MOP) and abalone shell materials. Craftspeople around the globe trust us for stringed instrument inlay, reverse glass signage, furniture, marquetry, jewelry, and countless other fine crafts.
Inventors of ABALAM® Laminated Shell Material
We co-invented the iconic laminated shell material known as ABALAM® — often imitated but never equaled.
Who We Are: Duke of Pearl and Aulson Inlay
Duke of Pearl, LLC (DOP) shares space with Aulson Inlay, LLC. Both businesses are led by Her Worshipful Pearlkeep, Lady Ellen Aulson, and Vice Chancellor of Inlay, Lex. Lady Ellen also co-owns Aulson Inlay, which specializes in fully customized, high-quality CNC artwork, prototyping, small production runs, and unique materials. Many clients appreciate our “one-stop shop” for all their inlay needs.
Our Clients’ Extraordinary Creations
Our clients craft collectible “boutique” or “art” guitars, some of which have sold for $50,000 to over $1,000,000. Their pearl inlay work appears in custom knives, folding hand fans, fishing lures, turkey calls, cigar humidors, funeral urns, temple furniture, pool tables, surfboards, and even dragster cockpits. Some of our shell products are designed for architectural and interior design projects, adding a glowing pearlescent touch to ceilings, walls, countertops, or displays.
Premium Shell Products and More
We offer hundreds of precisely made materials from 18 species of nacreous shells. Each year, our 40 craftsmen process over 80 metric tons of shell. Our products include:
- 5.5″ x 9.5″ veneers
- Multi-layer laminated shell sheets (ABALAM® or “ABLAM”)
- Traditional flat pearl and abalone solid inlay blanks
- Shell dots and rounds
- Straight and curved shell strips
- Crushed shell flakes (“brocade”)
- Unprocessed raw shell and more
We also carry full-color posters featuring our solid blanks and laminated ABALAM® sheets.
Support for Your Craft
We’re always ready to help with technical support. If you need other hard-to-find inlay or luthiery supplies, we’ll connect you with trusted sources — whether you buy directly from us or not.
Visit the Castle
Whether you’re a museum conservator, sign maker, luthier, furniture craftsman, or jeweler, we invite you to explore our Castle. Stay as long as you’d like, discover hidden gems, take something special home, and meet Her Worshipful Pearlkeep, Lady Ellen Aulson.
Thank you for being such loyal subjects!
Duke of Pearl — The world’s best source for premium mother-of-pearl and abalone shell materials.
