Coral Sources

Coral has been used in jewelry for thousands of years and it remains very popular. Coral is an organic substance composed of tiny skeletons of coral polyps, which are tiny marine organisms that live in warm sea waters. As these polyps pile up on one another over thousands of years, and create coral reefs. Coral consists is almost entirely calcium carbonate and a minor amount of carotene, derived from the skeletons of the polyps.

There is a misconception that the coral used in jewelry is the same as that found in the Great Barrier Reef and other coral reefs that are important for sustaining marine life. These endangered reefs are threatened by warming ocean waters, harmful bacteria, pollution, and destructive fishing methods and are not harvested. Commercial harvesting and coral trade are regulated by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

The aforementioned reefs are composed of different species of coral than those used in jewelry. Corallium Rubrum and Corallium Japonicum are the coral species typically used in jewelry. Currently these species are available, but, in the future, it is believed that supplies will begin to dwindle. It should be noted that worldwide, governments are regulating the coral species used to make jewelry. Prices for coral have increased as supplies have decreased.

Harvesting regulations mean that the supply of newly harvested coral is limited. For that reason, unused beads are often taken from old jewelry and reused. This supply issue has made synthetic coral  much more common and some "fakes" are hard to spot and not all suppliers clearly identify synthetics.

Beware of Synthetic Coral

There is a great deal of synthetic coral on the market and some suppliers do not clearly identify it as synthetic. If the price is low, there is a high probability that it is synthetic "coral" made from dyed or colored wood, plastic, bone, ivory, glass, or ceramic.

Healing and Mystical Properties

Wearing coral is said to aid in the treatment of circular and blood disorders, prevent osteoporosis, promote healthy bone formation in children, and protect the wearer from negative energy or loss of energy. Coral is supposed to promote the formation and growth of all types of new tissue. The psychological attributes of coral include immunity from resentment and envy and allowing the individual to enjoy their life. It strengthens love and is the symbol of joy and happiness.

Coral Colors

Coral occurs naturally in a variety of colors: red, lavender, black, blue, brown, gold, and white (which is usually dyed). The most popular colors are hues of red such as pink, pale pink and salmon pink.

Four families of coral have been used in jewelry.The calcareous "stony" and proteinacous "horny" corals are scarce and most expensive. The calcareous sponge and bamboo corals are still readily available and more affordable.

Great care must be taken when wearing coral jewelry. Unlike other gemstones it is a soft material with a Mohs’ scale rating of 3 to 4. It is important to store it carefully to avoid scratches. Coral is porous and it should be kept away from chemicals.

The most expensive corals are the natural red, black and gold corals. The premier red coral color is "oxblood". Most of this premier coral comes from the Mediterranean, parts of the French and the Spanish coast and the Sea of Japan.

Several varieties of lace and needle corals are found in purple and lavender shades. Other corals have brown or whitish tips and can be found in oceans worldwide.

Black coral is the result of an early stage of decay. It is found just below the surface. There are often small gold rings or markings on its surface. Black coral can be heated and molded into different shapes. It used to be abundant in the Persian Gulf and other oceans but much of that supply has been exhausted. Black coral has been found recently near Japan.

Blue coral is also thought to be the result of coral decay. Blue Ridge Coral and Blue Denim Coral grow in the-pacific region have a soft denim color. Blue and sponge corals are more porous than the natual red corals. Because they are porous, these corals are often coated or lacquered. A new variety of blue sponge coral is very pretty, it is denser with less visible pores.

Bamboo coral is known for its long branch-like appearance interspersed with scattered joints. It is naturally white with brown or black markings but it is not unusual for it to be dyed.

The most common coral color is white. It can be bleached for a more uniform white color or dyed to mimic natural coral colors. White Sea Bamboo or Bamboo coral is often dyed and sold in the market as red coral.