Like the pearl, Coral is one of natures most unique stones. Pearls are harvested from a living creature but Coral IS (or once was) a living creature! Coral is a living marine organism. It reproduces both sexually and asexually and secrets a calcified skeleton in shapes similar to tree branches. Coral feeds off of algae to survive and is abundant in the clear, shallow waters of southern Ireland, the Bay of Biscay to Madeira, in the Canaries and the Cape de Verde Islands, in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, Mauritius, the Malay Archipelago, and in Japanese waters.
When coral is harvested from the ocean, it emerges from the water a gnarled, ugly lump. However, after it is cleaned, carved, and polished it transforms into a beautiful, radiant gemstone. Red Coral is the most popular and prized shade of coral and is most desired by jewelers and jewelry lovers. Fire Coral, as it is called, is rare and has been in high demand for thousands of years.
In China, Coral is believed to be a symbol of longevity. Buddhists have long believed that coral is a gift from our mother ocean to remind us of our eternal foundation. The precious stone also is said to stop the flow of blood from a wound, alleviate menstral symptoms in women, impart wisdom, cure madness and calm storms.
U.S. Retail Value $180.00
ShangBy Price $58.00
