Contemporary Coral and Lapis Silver Beaded Choker 2949-BNK
Contemporary Coral and Lapis Silver Beaded Choker.
This sensational choker is just full of natural beauty and color. We got this fine jewelry on a large buy out from a store that needed to clear a lot of shelf space. Richard was lucky enough to get a great deal on this beautiful jewelry and he wishes to pass the savings on to you. We're offering you this jewelry at 60% to 70% off of the regular price! This choker has been hand strung with ravishing beads of genuine red Coral and genuine Lapis. The hot red shades of the Coral vibrantly contrast with the royal blue Lapis making this choker very attractive. Silver plated beads provide elegant spacing between the gemstones with a high shine. Non Indian made. This Coral and Lapis choker is 14-1/4" long and it has an extra 3-1/4" long extension chain.
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.
Lapis lazuli is a beautiful opaque stone ranging in color from a deep blue to denim. Lapis lazuli can be made of several minerals besides lazurite, namely sodalite, hauyne, calcite (white streaks), and pyrite (metallic streaks or flecks). Stones that are deep blue with small patches of pyrite and calcite are considered the most valuable. The ancients believed that divine favor and success came to those wearing lapis. It was largely reserved for royalty. Claims to origins of lapis lazuli range from Afghanistan and ancient Babylon to Peru and the Inca civilization. Regardless, those who wore lapis claimed that "power amulets" were formed when this beautiful stone was shaped into the form of an eye and ornamented with gold. |