Apple Coral Sterling Silver Necklace and Earrings.

This necklace is full of natural character. This sensational piece of jewelry was hand made out of shimmering Sterling Silver. It features long and elegant hand cut triangular cabochons of genuine Apple Coral. The Apple Coral delivers its natural colors making this a highly attractive piece of jewelry. Hand twisted Sterling Silver wires and Sterling Silver bead wires give this necklace the perfect amount of detail. Non Indian made. This Sterling Silver necklace is 18-1/4" long. Stamped Sterling. The matching French hook earrings are 2-1/8" long. Apple Coral stones may slightly vary. The photo is an excellent representation of the one of a kind hand made necklace you'll receive.

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.