According to Greek mythology, the origin of precious or red coral is explained by the story of Perseus. After petrifying Cetus, which was the sea monster that threatened Andromeda, Perseus placed Medusa's head on a riverbank while he washed his hands. When he tried to retrieve her head, he noticed that her blood had turned the seaweed into red coral, whereby the Greek word for coral became 'Gorgeia', as Medusa was one of the three Gorgons. It’s also written in mythology that Hephaestus first crafted his work from coral, and Poseidon resided in a palace made of gems and coral.
In ancient Rome, the Romans believed coral would protect their children from being harmed, could cure wounds inflicted by scorpions and snakes, and diagnose diseases by changing different colors. The first trade of coral between the Mediterranean and India was recorded in the first century A.D.
It’s a gift the ocean that reminds us of our eternal foundation. Coral lives and breathes in the sea, but its roots are anchored in the earth. It is composed of the skeletal material of calcium carbonate of tiny animals into reef-plant-like hard branches, and is hard and durable in the ocean. Pink, red, and white coral is primarily calcium carbonate, and the black and golden coral is conchiolin. These types of coral are used to make coral necklaces.
A variety of coral forms have been used in Indian jewelry to make coral earrings, coral necklaces, coral bracelets, coral pendants, coral rings, and coral chokers. Beads or cut cabochons are made from coral. Small twig pieces are often sold as brooches or carved into figures, flowers, and animal. The contrast with different stones is striking.
People once thought that coral was a stone. Coral is said to protect children, and historically given to other countries as gifts. Today, imitation coral is produced using such as plastic, glass, porcelain, and stained bone, and is used to make coral necklaces. Natural coral has a distinctive wood grain texture which is used to identify the real thing. Silica in ocean water hardens coral, turning it into the gemstone agate over thousands of years, with the coral appearing as beautiful flowers in the stone.
Coral is used to combat difficulties of the lungs and digestion. It relates to the circulation of the blood and to the heart. Coral is said to restore harmony in the event of emotional conflict, works against nutritional deficiencies, depression, and lethargy. As to its mystical capabilities, it’s said to cure madness, give wisdom, and build an emotional foundation.
Formed in sub tropical waters, coral thrives in a narrow temperature range of 13 to 16 degrees centigrade. It is found on the African coasts, Japan, Australia, Mediterranean coasts, Malaysia, and the West Indies. The highest quality coral comes from the Mediterranean Sea, particularly off the coasts of Algeria and Tunisia. A black coral growth that is believed to be conchiolin, which hardens on exposure to air, has been farmed off the islands of Hawaii. Natural Bamboo Coral is usually gray in color and is porous; therefore, it readily takes dye and is colored either pink or red.
Coral is a semi-precious gemstone symbolizing 35 years of marriage that comes in a variety of colors that include red, blue, orange, rose, white, and black. Red and pink are the most valued colors. Coral ranges in color from a blush pale pink shade, known as Angel Skin, which is the rarest form of coral in the world, to an orange or deep red shade, known as Oxblood, which is the second rarest color, to white, which is popular. The best orange red color comes from the Mediterranean around Algeria and Tunisia. It is also found in the sea near Naples and off the coast of the Italian islands and Japan.
Unfortunately, due to aquatic predators, which suck the polyps from the reefs, and the effects of pollution, reefs began disappearing. Today, the coral reefs are protected, which explains the increase of imitation coral used to create the coral necklace.
|
