Visit MarkTwain Lake – While the factories that once churned out billions of mother-of-pearl buttons have long since quieted, their legacy continues to shimmer this time, not on shirt cuffs or collars, but around necks in the form of Pearl City Pendants.
These unique accessories, often handcrafted by local artisans, offer more than just aesthetic appeal. They are wearable tokens of history, connecting the present to Muscatine’s industrious past through the quiet elegance of a single, gleaming pearl.
Muscatine’s pearl button industry began in the late 1800s, when entrepreneur John Boepple, a German immigrant, discovered the perfect raw material in the Mississippi River: freshwater mussel shells. By the early 20th century, Muscatine was producing over 1.5 billion buttons annually, supplying almost one-third of the world’s demand.
At its peak, the town buzzed with life shell-cutters, polishers, and punchers worked tirelessly in button factories. Entire families depended on this industry. Though automation and plastic buttons eventually pushed the pearl button industry into decline by the 1950s, the cultural and economic impact remains deeply embedded in Muscatine’s identity.
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Enter the Pearl City Pendant a modern tribute to Muscatine’s iconic heritage. Local jewelers and craftspeople have taken to reclaiming old shell materials, vintage buttons, or inspired designs to create elegant, minimalist jewelry.
Each pendant varies in design, but the common thread is always the pearl or its essence whether it’s an actual mother-of-pearl disc, a replica carved from shell, or even a stylized silver swirl evoking the shape of a button.
The transformation from utility to artistry is striking. Where buttons once served a functional role, these pendants now serve an emotional and historical one they’re conversation pieces, heirlooms, and living symbols of craftsmanship.
Visitors to Muscatine can find Pearl City Pendants in a variety of local boutiques, artisan markets, and historical gift shops. Some highlights include:
For those outside of Iowa, several online platforms now host Muscatine-based creators who ship nationally ensuring this humble piece of Americana can find homes across the country.
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What makes the Pearl City Pendant more than just another necklace is its symbolism. For locals, it’s a badge of pride, a way to wear their town’s story close to their hearts. For history buffs, it’s a tactile link to America’s industrial roots. And for fashion lovers, it’s a subtle, timeless piece that pairs with both casual and formal wear.
The pearl itself carries rich connotations purity, resilience, elegance while the circular shape of many designs represents eternity and connection. When crafted from actual shell fragments, every pendant is truly one-of-a-kind, bearing the unique marks of its riverine origin.
Instead of ending with a conclusion, let’s look forward: what’s next for Muscatine’s pearl heritage?
In recent years, several designers have begun expanding the concept of Pearl City Pendants into broader collections bracelets, earrings, cufflinks, even home décor like mother-of-pearl inlaid trays. At the same time, educators and artists are partnering to launch workshops on shell jewelry-making, aimed at preserving traditional skills and involving a younger generation in the town’s history.
There’s even talk of launching a “Pearl City Artisan Trail”, a curated tour connecting Muscatine’s art studios, museums, and historical landmarks centered around its button legacy.
More than just an accessory, the Pearl City Pendant is evolving into a cultural emblem, reminding us that even the smallest items buttons and beads can carry the weight of generations.
