Coral
Coral – a natural stone
Coral is a species of coral from the Coralliidae family, which is composed of calcium carbonate. Corals are a group of marine animals capable of building rock structures and forming colonies on the ocean or sea floor, known as coral reefs. Coral mineral is most commonly found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Japan, the shores of Central America, around Australia, in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Florida. Coral is the dead calcareous skeleton of corals, which occurs mainly in warm, tropical, and well-lit water bodies. Coral stone is relatively soft, with a hardness of 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale and a density of 2.6-2.7 g/cm³. Interestingly, coral is not a mineral but belongs to marine fauna, yet due to its popularity in jewelry making, it is often classified as a gemstone. Natural coral is characterized by its matte appearance in its raw state, but it gains luster after polishing. Other characteristic features include an uneven fracture, lack of cleavage, a matte to glassy luster, and a trigonal crystallographic structure.
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Coral – color
The most popular variety of coral is red, but natural coral can also be found in pink, white, brown, and black. The color of coral depends on the polyp that produced it. Coral comes in many varieties, but the most valuable are the Algerian variety and the red variety, which is the most prized in jewelry making. An interesting type of coral is sponge coral, which is pressed coral showing the natural structure of the coral on its surface. Coral stones have a characteristic form, resembling tree rings, often with an irregular surface, depressions, and unevenness.
Coral – uses
Since ancient times, coral has been used as a decorative and jewelry stone. Worldwide, coral has been mainly used to adorn sculptures, figurines, and attire. In Poland, coral is especially associated with traditional Krakow folk costumes, where a coral necklace is a distinctive part. Coral stones are most commonly polished into cabochon shapes. Today, coral stones are used to produce buttons and umbrella handles. The price of coral varies depending on whether it comes from legal or illegal sources, as natural coral is protected and its extraction is legally regulated. Due to its extremely attractive colors, coral is highly valued in jewelry making. Coral stones are used to create exceptional necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
