Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymineralic particles which are precursors of hydroxyapatite and a method for their production. The present invention is also directed to a synthetic bone-like composition comprising said hydroxyapatite polymineralic precursor particles of hydroxyapatite and optionally, a polymeric material capable of promoting mineralization of hydroxyapatite, which are useful for fixing prosthetic devices, useful as bone substitutes to directly fill bone defects, to provide substrates for cartilage, and to repair teeth, and methods of making such preparations. The present invention is also directed to a method of treating collagen to provide a micro-structure close to that of native bone.