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One of the most distinctive ornamental jewelry items around is Coral. Coral is not a mineral or gemstone per say, it is actually a secretion formed by thousands upon thousands of small organisms. Coral is calcium carbonate, which is essentially like aragonite or marble. Small Coral polyps secrete this material to create a habitat for protection in the sea.
Coral comes in many fine colors including orange, white, black, pale or pink which is called Angelskin Coral and even in a deep red, which is the rarest type and sometimes referred to as fire Coral. While the majority of Coral is used for ornamental jewelry, older Coral reefs that are now found in land are used as a building supply, called Coral rag. There are a few prehistoric Coral reefs that are now found in land on the Isle of Portland, as well as in Africa. Because calcium carbonate is a tough and strong material, it is a great product to build homes and other structures with. Since dried up Coral reefs are usually huge in scale, it is an affordable material as well. It should be noted that while most of the Coral that is sold is natural and genuine, there are fake Coral products available as well. They are usually created either by plastic, glass or porcelain. It is easy to spot fake Coral because true Coral which is made from calcium carbonate will effervesce when it comes into contact with acid, fake Coral from plastic, glass and porcelain will not. |
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Coral is unlike any other gemstone or mineral, because it is created by colonies of living organisms. Coral is a type of calcium carbonate, you might be aware of calcium carbonate, because it is the same type of substance that creates aragonite and marble. Coral is formed by groups of Coral polyps; these polyps are very small, usually only a few millimeters thick. Coral polyps secrete long strands of calcium carbonate usually in the shape of branches.
Coral comes in a variety of colors, most notably orange, white, a pale pink or salmon which is sometimes referred to as angelskin Coral, black and red. Red Coral is the mot rarest and also the most expensive to buy. It is usually referred to as Tibetan Fire Coral. Coral is usually crafted into beads, cameos, other types of shapes or just polished and worn as branches in its natural shape.
Coral has been known to man since ancient times and the word Coral comes from Greek, however the exact meaning is not known. Most of the Coral that is used for jewelry today comes from the Mediterranean Sea, usually coming from Sicily or near Sardinia. Coral has always been popular as a material for jewelry, but has also been given qualities for mystical purposes. For instance, during the Middle Ages, Coral was used as a material to protect one from harm. Because of this mystical trait, Coral was given to children to wear and also was worn as charms or penchants. |
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