Coral

Facts About Coral
  • Shape & Type

The hard, external skeleton of a tiny, plant-like marine animal called the coral polyp. Growths come in many shapes. The branched & tree-like are commonly used to make gems. Made from calcium carbonate which is durable and intensely colored.  Due to its softness and opacity, it is cut as a cabochon or used to make beads.

There are two types of coral.

Calcareous corals: composed primarily of calcite and come in whites, reds, and pinks. Calcareous corals have wavy, fibrous structure, cavities from polyps, and high spot birefringence.

Conchiolin corals: composed of conchiolin, the same substance found in pearls and other shells, and come in black, brown, and golden colors. Conchiolin corals have a concentric, circular growth pattern (“tree rings”) and show white crescents in cross sections of branches.

  • Name Origin
It's the common name given to Corallium rubrum. 
  • Hues
Red to pink hues of calcareous precious coral hold the most value.  (primarily consist of calcite).The color range in these organisms sets the standard for precious corals. These gems exhibit hues of “ox blood” red to light, peach-pink “angel skin.”
  • Healing Properties 
It facilitates intuition, imagination, and visualization & strengthens understanding of mysticism.Alleviates depression, quiets the emotions and brings peace.Strengthens the connection to the harmonious energies of the universe.
  • Where to Find
The Mediterranean and Red Sea areas are the principal producers.
Commonly found in tropical regions, in shallow waters with a temperature from 13-16°C, coral reefs can also occur in colder, deeper waters, found to the west of Ireland.

Other producers include the following areas:
Australia; Cameroon; Hawaii; Japan; Malaysia; Mauritius; South Africa; Spain; Taiwan.