•• c o r a l
Red coral is considered precious because it can be cut and polished like a gemstone and
the natural colors ranging from pink to dark red are inherent to the skeleton of the marine
creature. It has been harvested from shallow waters of the Mediterranean and traded for
centuries; variants of the species are also found off the coast of Japan. Moh's hardness is
around 4, which is harder than calcite but not as strong as most gemstones. Red coral is
referred to as a branching coral, resembling leafless tree branches, with striations appearing
parallel.
Less expensive
coral components include dyed sponge coral and bamboo coral, both of which are generally
dyed red to resemble precious coral. However, the structure of sponge coral is much more open
and porous than red coral, making it easy to distinguish. Bamboo coral forms in branch-like
structures, similar to red coral, but it forms at much greater depths and lacks the inherent
red cartenoid coloring. It is often dyed a deep bold red, which also tends to distinguish it
from red coral.
Coral may be dyed other colors; the natural blue-gray color of sponge coral may be deepened and
enhanced, and bamboo coral may be dyed a pleasing pink hue. Cupolini or cupolino coral refers to
a thin, branch-like shape that is generally dyed and drilled through the center.