Coral

Coral comes in an array of colours: white, cream, various shades of red and orange, blue, a light grayish violet called “lavender” in the trade, and a light, vivid pink colour sometimes referred to as “angel’s skin”. There is also black and golden coral. Red coral (sometimes called “ox blood” in the trade) has historically been the most expensive. Gem-quality coral has uniform colour.

Coral’s rich lore contributes to its perpetual popularity. According to Greek mythology, Perseus slew Medusa, a hideous monster-woman with venomous snakes for hair. He set her head down on the sand and her blood turned the seaweed into red coral. Ancient Romans thought that coral quieted the waves of the ocean and made it calm. During the Victorian era, coral beads were worn to ward off evil spirits and provide good luck. And cultures around the world have long thought coral to bring to the wearer health, happiness, wisdom, success, and more.

Coral is the name used to describe tiny marine polyps – spineless organisms with a soft body and a protective external skeleton composed of calcium carbonate. Attaching themselves to rocks, these animals multiply to create giant colonies which eventually form reefs.

As coral is a comparatively soft gem material, its hardness is 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale, you’ll want to keep it in its own cloth pouch so that harder gemstones won’t scratch it. It is also porous so don’t wear coral in chlorinated pools or expose it to heat or chemicals (including cosmetics and perfumes) as this can cause it to lose its polish and colour. Dyed coral can fade under prolonged exposure to sunlight. Also, don’t use an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaner. Instead, clean coral with a soft cloth and briefly rinse (do not soak it) in warm, soapy water.

Sources:

“Coral.” GIA 4Cs, 5 Jan. 2017, 4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/captivated-coral/.