Pearl micro- and nanostructure, mineralogy and composition: Factors affecting quality and provenance studies.

SOLDATI, ANALIA L.; JACOB, DORRIT E.; WEHRMEISTER, URSULA; HÄGER, TOBIAS; HOFMEISTER, WOLFGANG

Bangkok and Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Conferencia; The 2nd International Gem & Jewelry Conference (GIT 2009); 2009

Pearls are biogenic gems produced by mussels and snails, in marine and freshwater environments. The pearl nacre (commonly named “mother of pearl”) consist of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) intimately related with a mixture of less than 10% of organic substances (sugars and proteins). This composite material is responsible of the pearl luster, color and quality. In this work we studied the nacre micro- and nanostructure as well as its mineral and elemental composition. We found interesting relations to pearl appearance, defects and lack of coloration in the pearl surface and some hints to bad response after bleaching treatments.