Coral
Coral is not a mineral but a hard calcareous substance consisting of
the continuous skeleton secreted by many tribes of marine coelenterate
polyps for their support and habitation. It is found growing
plant-like on the sea-bottom. With pollution on the rise everywhere it
is becoming increasingly rare, to the extent that even the most
prized, the Mediterranean coral, is threatened with extinction.
Coral was very popular until a few years ago, but has now become too
expensive for most pockets. Its increasing rarity does. however, make
it a good long-term investment. You would be wise to buy Italian coral
rather than specimens from the Far East, which have often been
adulterated.
The best corals are generally considered to be those of a deep rose
red colour, though some jewelers would tend to disagree.
Understandably so, when it is almost impossible to find more than one
or two necklaces of this shade in a hundred ! As regards white and
pink varieties, choose without hesitation the colour known as "angel's
skin".
Weight-wise, coral is worth more on today's market than gold, which
is why it is such a sound investment provided, and I stress this, it
is of the best quality. The finest specimens come from Sardinia and
Tunisia; larger, less fine ones from Japan and China.
Coral is cut en cabochon or used for beads and sometimes small
carvings. Beware of imitations, such as coloured shell or bone.
|
Name |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Coral |
4-Mar |
2.6-2.7 |
hexagonal
|
None
|
1.486-1.658
|
-0.172
|
None
|
None |
Weak |
|
