Coral Gemstone: A Complete Guide

76

Coral gemstone have enchanted people all over the globe for ages due to their biological origins and breathtaking colors. Polyps, which are tiny marine organisms, release calcium carbonate, which is then used to create coral. As it sets into coral, it becomes a material suitable for making jewels by polishing. What follows is an exhaustive table listing every kind of coral, along with its color, origin, and mines?

Table of Coral gemstone Varieties

Coral Type	Color Range	Origin
Angel Skin Coral	Light pink to peach	Mediterranean Sea
Black Coral	Black, brown	West Indies, Australia
Blue Coral	Blue to gray	Indo-Pacific region
Golden Coral	Golden, yellow	Pacific Ocean
Red Coral	Red to dark red	Mediterranean, Japan
Fossil Coral	Brown, red, green	Southeast Asia, USA
Pink Coral	Pink to peach	Mediterranean, Pacific
White Coral	White to ivory	Mediterranean Sea

Coral Gemstone Varieties: Descriptions and History

Angel Skin Coral

Angel Skin Coral is prized for its peaceful and beautiful soft pink and peach color. The main place you find this coral is in the Mediterranean and Japan, and they use it in jewelry back to ancient times. It gained its name from its ‘angelic’ or fair skin color.

Black Coral

The West Indies, Australia and the Pacific Islands are where black coral is mostly found. It is dark and shiny. Black coral has historically been worn as an amulet on the belief that it had mystical properties and would protect the wearer. It was thought by the ancient Hawaiians to have healing powers.

Blue Coral

Mostly it is found in Indonesia and Japan and belongs to blue to greyish colors. Other corals are much rarer, and because of this, the Indo-Pacific region prizes this coral for its rarity. It has been long valued.

Golden Coral

Golden Coral has yellow or golden color and is rare type of coral. Deep in the Pacific Ocean is where it can be found. Approximately fifty years ago golden coral was discovered in Hawaiian waters and added to the coral gemstone collection. The golden tones are a result of bleaching black coral.

Red Coral

One of the most sought after of corals is Red Coral, or Corallium rubrum. It has been used for thousands of years in jewelry. Red coral is principally found in Japan and the Mediterranean as the ancient Romans thought it had magical protective properties.

Fossil Coral

Coral fossil has been on earth for millions of years. Though available in shades of brown, red and green, labradorite is a gemstone. The natural structure of ancient coral reefs is replaced by minerals and the resultant is fossil coral. This gemstone is sourced from the USA and Southeast Asia and is highly valued for its one of the kind design.

Pink Coral

There is a wide range of color for pink coral, from pale pink to peach. It’s found in the Mediterarmian and Pacific Oceans. Pink coral was very much prized in the ancient Greeks and Romans for its soothing and feminine properties, being associated with love and beauty.

White Coral

It is mostly found in Mediterranean and Japanese seas and has an ivory like color and is known as white coral. The innocence and tranquility of this coral is symbolized. White coral has been used medicinally by many civilizations throughout its recorded history.

Coral Gemstone Value and Appeal

Factors such as coral gemstones’ rarity, color, and place of origin determine their value. Corals with historical value and vivid colors, such as red and pink, are highly sought after and expensive. The marketplaces for fine jewelry are the most exclusive places to find coral, especially red coral and angel skin coral. They are unlike any other gemstones due to their unusual biological nature and vibrant colors.

In addition, coral gemstones are said to possess metaphysical abilities, such as the ability to heal, protect, and balance emotions. Because of these ideas, coral has remained popular for use in spiritual rites and jewelry.

Why Coral gemstone Is Special

Coral gemstones stand out from the rest of the Earth’s crustal minerals because of their biological origin. Their association with aquatic life and their function in antiquities from classical Egypt, Greece, and Rome enhance their allure. Global coral reefs are in danger due to overharvesting, which is one environmental problem with coral mining.

FAQs about coral gemstone

1. What are the most valuable types of coral gemstones?

• Red and Pink Coral are the most valuable, particularly those with deep red tones, like oxblood coral. These varieties are primarily sourced from the Mediterranean Sea and Japan​(International Gem Society)​(Geology Science).

2. How is coral gemstone formed?

• Coral is formed from the skeletal remains of marine organisms called polyps. Over time, the calcium carbonate structure hardens, creating the material that is later polished into gemstones​(Geology Science).

3. Can coral gemstones be worn daily?

• Coral gemstones, particularly those like red and pink coral, are relatively soft, ranking around 3-4 on the Mohs hardness scale. They should be worn with care to prevent scratching or chipping​(International Gem Society)​(Geology Science).

4. Are coral gemstones endangered?

• Many coral species are endangered due to overharvesting and environmental changes. Some types of coral mining are regulated to protect reef ecosystems​(Geology Science).

5. What are the healing properties associated with coral gemstones?

• Coral gemstones, especially red coral, are believed to bring emotional balance, protection, and energy. They are often used in metaphysical practices for promoting calmness and self-confidence​(Gemstone World).

Conclusion

Gemstones made of coral, whether it’s the vibrant Red Coral or the complex Fossil Coral, are both aesthetically pleasing and historically significant. Coral gems are intriguing due to their unusual origins in marine life and their long history of usage in civilizations all over the globe. But it’s important to support sustainable practices when buying coral jewelry because of environmental issues.