Coral
From Native American Information Superhighway Alltribes™ Wiki
Coral
Back to Turquoise
Back to Native American Glossary
- There are several types of precious coral. Although Red corals are most common in jewelry, coral can be found naturally in a variety of colors including blacks and golds. Coral is produced in warm, shallow coastal areas by tiny marine animals and can be found in many places. Jewelry grade coral usually comes from the Mediterranean Sea, Hawaii, or China and is increasingly rare due to large efforts to protect the worlds Coral Reefs. Coral is known to be used as a gem since prehistoric times and has gained a reputation for having powers of healing and protection. Red coral was believed to change color according to one's health, but only if the stone was not fashioned by man. Strings of coral were considered a gift of royal proportion in parts of Africa. It was also popular as a gem in the Egyptian and Roman empires who believed in its curative powers.
- The hard skeleton of red coral branches is naturally matte, but can be polished to a glassy shine. It exhibits a range of warm reddish pink colors from pale pink to deep red; the word coral is also used to name such colors. Owing to its intense and permanent coloration and glossiness, precious coral skeletons have been harvested since antiquity for decorative use. Coral jewelry has been found in ancient Egyptian and prehistoric European burials, and continues to be made to the present day.
- There are four types of precious coral in Hawaii: black coral (Antipathidae), gold coral (Parazoanthidae), red or pink coral (Corallidae) and bamboo coral. Each of these has a different internal composition. Red and pink corals produce a calcite skeleton similar in hardness to ivory and pearls. Bamboo corals, on the other hand, produce a skeleton composed partially of calcite and partially of protein that is similar to the keratin in your fingernails. These alternating bands of material resemble a bamboo stalk; thus the corals' name. In Hawaii, black corals are found in 100-300 ft. of water, shallow enough to harvest using scuba equipment. Many harvesters, however, have died in pursuit of coral trees at the deep end of this range. Red, gold and bamboo coral are found between 1,000 and 1,500 ft; so harvesting is conducted with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or submarines.
- Corals are marine animals from the class Anthozoa and exist as small sea anemone-like polyps, typically in colonies of many identical individuals. The group includes the important reef builders that are found in tropical oceans, which secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton. When you say the word Coral, most people think of the coral reefs in the South Pacific like the Great Barrier Reef off Australia. However, these coral reefs are formed by a different species than the coral traditionally used in jewelry. Coral is porous so it should not come into contact with chemicals. To clean it, wipe it gently with a moist soft cloth.
- Coral, produced by tiny marine animals, is usually obtained from the Mediterranean Sea. Coral is available in a variety of colors. Native Americans have prized this gem for over 4 centuries. Red coral, sometimes called "precious coral," was believed to change color according to one's health, but only if the stone was not fashioned by man. Strings of coral were considered a gift of royal proportion in parts of Africa; the ancient Romans touted its curative powers.
