Silver "sparkles" on middle element - what are they?

Hi, I have a Pentax-A 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 which at first glance is in excellent condition but when I have studied it under bright light, the middle element seems to be covered in what I can only describe as tiny silver sparkles. They are smaller than a pinhead and appear to be spread uniformly across the entire surface. They are so small they can only be seen when tilted at a certain angle but they are definately there.
Any ideas on what they could be?

Thanks
Jim

This is a total stab in the dark, but the uniform nature suggests it could be something to do with the lens coating

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Bodies: K5IIs, K7, MZ5n, LX, MV
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon

I did think that it could be the coating as they are definatley uniformly spaced across the entire surface but it is something that I have never seen before

It's possible two elements are coming apart and this is the cement causing the sparkles. In some other makes, effects like this are call "white spot" but I've never actually seen it in a Pentax lens.

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Best regards, John

Not pixie dust then?!

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Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/

That'll be it Dave!!