Coral Jewelry

Many individuals believe that coral jewelry originated from coral reefs in the sea; however, that is a common misconception that many make. Despite its name, coral jewelry appears in branches of underwater-like trees. Coral is the remains of a marine animal and it is mostly made up of calcium carbonate.

Coral has been used to make coral jewelry for over thousands of years now. The Egyptians and Romans would take great pride in wearing coral jewelry. In addition to a historical importance, coral jewelry also effected religion. At one point coral jewelry was attached to rosary beads to help prevent people from danger. There were also others who believed that the coral would help keep them healthy and well. Coral used to be a popular gift idea for newborn children.

Coral can come in a wide selection of colors. For example, coral jewelry has appeared in the colors of blue, brown, black, red, white, pink, or orange. Some of the colors are more rare than others, which may increase their market value. Some pink colored coral items are referred to as angel skin coral.

Coral jewelry is most often used in making brooches, earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry products. Finding a wide selection of coral jewelry can sometimes be difficult. There are a limited number of online jewelry retailers that offer coral products. Many jewelry or retail stores may not have a selection is stock or it might be a fairly small selection. Since not as much coral jewelry is made today, you are likely to come across a vintage coral jewelry piece.

Coral jewelry must be cleaned carefully and with caution. Since coral jewelry is often softer than other forms, it should be properly cared for and possibly stored separately. Even the slightest nudge of coral jewelry against metal or a hard object could cause the item to scratch. It is not recommended that coral jewelry be cleaned with any chemicals. A moist cloth should be sufficient enough to clean coral jewelry. If the moist cloth does not get the jewelry clean, you may wish to contact your jeweler or a professional cleaner for more information or instructions.

Coral used for coral jewelry can still be found today around Japan, Hawaii, Australia, and a few other shore locations. Although the popularity of coral jewelry has dramatically decreased from a few decades ago, its beauty is still one of a kind and appreciated around the world.