Are you looking for the perfect gift idea, but stuck for an idea? Then you should know about the Mother of Pearl picture. These makes perfect gifts for anyone that likes unique gifts. You will even want to have one or more for yourself because of the amazing picture they make.

These pictures are made in Vietnam. The lacquer which is used to make them is actually a resin from the lacquer tree that is planted mainly in Phu Tho which is the Northern Vietnamese province.

When the lacquer is first extracted from the tree it is white and condensed kind of like milk is. Then when it is in the air it will turn brown in color and after it is dry it will become black.

The lacquer will form a lustrous surface that is durable and will withstand moisture, oxidization and insects once it has turned hard. This is ideal material for preserving something like wood or bamboo.

In order to make these pictures a lacquer artist will use the natural lacquer and mix it with some mineral pigments so that other kinds of lacquer can be made. Ones such as:

- Cockroach or colored lacquer

- Lacquer for putting over the top

- Lacquer that is used for sticking eggshell and mother of pearl

You can find different shapes and thicknesses with mother of pearl easily. The artist will then take time to draw the designs on the surface and will then proceed to use a coping saw and cut them down to smaller pieces.

These pieces will be gathered together and will be inlaid on the lacquerware. Once it has been inlaid the mother of pearl design will be somewhat thicker then the wood surface. Here is where the artist will put a mixture of natural lacquer and plaster on it to build up the surface step by step until it is all of the same level.

One vital detail to know is that the mother of pearl when it is in its natural state will not have the details such as the nose and eyes of a animal or person. Other small things in the design will not be there either.

The artist will add these details using a pointed knife and will carve them in which makes the design much more lively and attractive to the eye. The lacquerware is filled with about 10 layers of lacquer.

After each layer is added the artist will wait for it to dry and then do the rubbing in water. The work on the picture will be done when the lacquerware has reached its highest smoothness. Then the last stage is the polishing stage to make it look perfect.

Now that you know more about the mother of pearl picture you can see why you can't go wrong with this gift idea for someone. This is definitely for you If you enjoy beauty.