| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Image |  |
| Biome | Collection Zone |
| Scan Tool | Scanner |
Great Jaw Pearls are large pearls produced by Great Jaws, collected by the Collector Leviathan, and stashed in the Collector Trove.
Databank Entry
A mineral orb created by a great jaw. Pearls form when the great jaw builds a protective layer around an irritating contaminant.
1. Central contaminant
Echo analysis detects a flake of graphite at the center of the pearl. This may be a tar contaminant, or a seed planted to trigger pearl formation. The shape and composition of this seed irritant could be detected by tapping the shell, allowing the notional pearl farmer to indelibly sign their work.
2. Secreted coating
Terrestrial pearls are built from crystalline calcium carbonate, but great jaw pearls change composition based on water chemistry, depth, and other factors. The scanned index pearl is high-purity silica. Other possible pearl compositions include calcium apatite, the mineral that forms bone. The pearl's composition could be controlled by laying down a 'primer coat' of minerals on the seed irritant.
3. Possible applications
Terrestrial pearls generally had cultural applications, such as ornamentation and architecture, rather than material or scientific use, but the oceans of Proteus offer a much wider range of dissolved materials and contaminants. Silica pearls could provide an ultra-high-purity silicon source for electronics.
4. Hardened tear
Trace chemicals trapped in the pearl indicate it initially formed in the lid of a great jaw's eye. The absence of domoic acid residue indicates the great jaw probably did not feed on live prey.
5. Handling
The pearl has been carefully handled and regularly cleaned.
Assessment: possible future source of resources.
Source: Scan a Great Jaw Pearl
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