The colors may be best seen by taking an impression of the mother-of-pearl in black wax; but " a solution ofgumarabic or isinglass, when allowed to indurate upon a surface of mother-of-pearl ...

Raden, a decorative lacquerware technique, uses the glimmering inner layer of shells. The inlay appears to float resplendently on the black lacquer, inspiring artisans to take the art into the future.