Coral is an organic gemstones. Most gemstones are formed from inorganic substances, but a
number of gemstones are organically formed, that is from living things, either plants or
animals. Coral is the "skeleton" formed by the individual polyps, plant-like animals, which
form in a colony.
Coloration
Red, Red-orange (pictured above) and pink are the most common and most desired colors for
coral. However, white and black are also used to create unique pieces of jewelry.
Fashioning
Coral is usually polished into a cabochon or into beads, but is also often carved.
Durability
Coral is one of the softest gemstones, so it can be easily damaged if not cared for properly.
Technical Characteristics
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Chemical Composition:
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CaCO3 - Calcium Carbonate
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Hardness:
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Soft . . . at 3.5
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Specific Gravity:
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2.6 - 2.7
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