>      What's the story on "pearlized" shells? I see some, like nautilus,
>abalone, and turbos, are available as both natural and pearled. Is this a
>natural condition?


No.


>  Is there a genetic component? Is this related to"mother
>of pearl"? Are pearled shells worth more than their natural counterparts?


I think it's just the result some chemical treatment (acid?) that
removes the outer layer to reveal the mother of pearl underneath.
--
--
Ed Foster
[log in to unmask]