title: Structural, mineralogical, and biochemical diversity in the lower part of the pearl layer of cultivated seawater pearls from Polynesia.
abstract: A series of Polynesian pearls has been investigated with particular attention to the structural and compositional patterns of the early developmental stages of the pearl layer. These initial steps in pearl formation bear witness of the metabolic changes that have occurred during the pearl-sac formation. The resulting structurally and biochemically complex structures have been investigated using a variety of techniques that provide us with information concerning both mineral phases and the organic components. Results are discussed with respect to our understanding of the biomineralization mechanisms, as well as for the grafting process.
authors.affiliation: University Paris-Sud, Faculty of Sciences, UMR 8148 IDES, Bat 504 Geology, 91405 Orsay, France. jean-pierre.cuif@u-psud.fr
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cuif
authors.forename: Alexander D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Yannicke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dauphin
authors.forename: Bastien
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Farre
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nouet
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perez-Huerta
authors.forename: Murielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salomé
authors.forename: C Terry
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D049911:Pinctada / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D002119:Calcium Carbonate