Pearl or Ivory always look good on a nickel finished handgun IMO.
The hazzards of exposure to the dust of working with pearl (MOP) have been known for a known for a long time.
It's the micro fine dust particles that are produced when working with the stuff and that those particles are flat with very sharp edges or points that causes most of the problems.
They get inhaled and stuck in the lungs instead of being exhaled. Once in there they accumulate and create infections and damaged areas that reduce lung capacity. That usually leads to other problems like pneumonia.
Quite a number of different shell creatures have the MOP lining inside.
The abalone is one of the larger ones and was used a lot for getting pieces of MOP big enough for things like pistol grips and larger.
I think they are a protected species now or at least tightly controlled as far as taking, selling, etc.
IIRC a couple of the sources for MOP,,one being the Abalone, does have a poisonous toxin in it's system.
That can be a problem when the shell is harvested and then the MOP cut free. Something to do with working with the shell and how it is handled,dried(?) before being worked making it safe to work with using high=speed grinder and saws.
Common in modern shops even in 3rd world countrys, the HS tools generate a lot of heat and that can make that dust toxic as well as being harmfull because of it's tiny size and shape.
I think I got that all correct.
Working with pearl under running water is common to wash the dust away as it is generated.
Masks are used of course but somewhat like what is currently going on, you need a very high quality mask to be effective, not just a paper mask over your nose and mouth.
Some people are just plain allergic to the MOP dust. It is a bit of a drying agent (desiccant?). So the dust even settling onto your bare arms and face can make the skin break out. Plus because of it's shape, it doesn't wash off easily.
Some get instant headaches when working with MOP from the dust. Likely a sinus thing.
Wear full eye protection!. Get that dust in your eye and then grind it in with a little swipe of your finger trying to clear it,,you are in for some bad experiences!
Gets stuck in your clothes as well. The stuff never seems to go away if you work with it a lot.
Ivory is different. More like working with hardwood. Dust for sure when sawing and sanding but not the lung plugger that MOP is.
A good mask is always a good idea.
