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TED-Ed

How do oysters make pearls? - Rob Ulrich

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3,393 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Despite their iridescent colors and smooth shapes, pearls are actually made of the exact same material as the craggy shell that surrounds them. Pearls, urchin spines, the shells of mussels, snails and clams, even coral— all these structures are made out of the same chemical compound: calcium carbonate. So how does this single ingredient form such a vast array of materials? Rob Ulrich investigates.

Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Educator
Rob Ulrich
Director
Ivana Bošnjak
Narrator
Jack Cutmore-Scott
Art Director
Ivana Bošnjak
Storyboard Artist
Ivana Bošnjak
Animator
Ivana Bošnjak, Thomas Johnson Volda
Music
Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio
Sound Designer
Amanda P.H. Bennett, cAMP Studio
Director of Production
Gerta Xhelo
Senior Producer
Anna Bechtol
Associate Producer
Sazia Afrin
Editorial Director
Alex Rosenthal
Editorial Producer
Dan Kwartler
Script Editor
Emma Bryce
Fact-Checker
Charles Wallace

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