Coral was once considered a simple marine plant, yet the precious stone is actually an organic product, derived from living organisms located in the depths of the ocean. Red coral develops from the skeletons of coral polyps, animals whose Size does not exceed one millimeter. Their skeletons, made of calcium carbonate, stack up to form coral. This ancient process is accompanied by ancient traditions.
Santa Muerte Memento Mori Coral Bracelet
At the heart of Greek mythology, legend has it that this magnificent precious stone was formed when Perseus decapitated Medusa. After cutting off her head, a small drop of her blood flowed into the ocean, becoming the bright red stone used today in gemstone jewelry. This ancient tale describes coral as a stone of healing and transformation. Before being transformed into a hideous monster by Athena, Medusa was considered the image of beauty, and although she died with an ugly outward appearance, the formation of coral from her blood is considered as beautiful as her former self. This myth is considered a contributing factor to why coral is regarded today as a magnificent healing crystal. In this article, we will examine this precious stone in more detail, exploring its properties, location, and therapeutic benefits.
The different colors and types of coral
Today, the most commonly used type of coral in jewelry is red and is often called "precious coral." Generally appearing between a warm pink tone and a dark red, precious coral is popular in a wide variety of shades, including deep red, known as Moro coral, medium red, called Sardegna, and salmon, known as Momo. Unlike most other gemstones, the color of coral has the potential to fade when worn, meaning a deep red stone can gradually turn light pink over time. Although red is the most popular choice, precious coral is also available in other colors, such as white, black, blue, and even gold. Found in Hawaii, gold-colored coral is extremely rare and therefore highly sought after, making a high-end piece of jewelry designed with gold coral an incredibly expensive purchase.
Where is coral found?
Forming deep below the ocean's surface, precious coral is produced by small living organisms called coral polyps. This branched structure, which resembles antlers, is composed of hard calcium carbonate and owes its remarkable coloration to carotenoid pigments. Growing at an average rate of barely 1 mm per year, precious coral takes years to form, making large gemstones highly sought after. Raw coral is often dull, but when polished with fine-grained sandstone and finished with a felt wheel, the organic gem can be used for magnificent jewelry, beads, and even sculptures.
Although this precious stone is found worldwide, Torre del Greco, in Italy, is home to the main coral trading center, processing nearly 75% of the world's coral supply. Today, the majority of the precious coral available on the market comes from the western Mediterranean; however, smaller deposits of this natural stone are found in various other locations, including the Red Sea, Japan, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands.
Healing properties of coral
Thought to hold a range of physical and spiritual healing properties, organic coral is commonly used as an aid for physical and mental well-being. Some believe it attracts love and prosperity, red coral is often considered a stone of passion. The precious stone can also be used to reconnect with nature, allowing you to appreciate its variety of natural wonders, with the added benefit of bringing out everyone's creativity and optimism, meaning coral is an excellent tool for positive thinking.
Emotionally, coral is believed to promote inner strength, peace, and understanding, especially in situations that seem out of control. Physically, the stone is used as an alternative medicine in crystal healing, as it is believed to be beneficial for the blood, respiratory system, and bladder, in addition to relieving chronic illnesses such as epilepsy and asthma.
Coral at Santa Muerte
Since coral is a protected species, synthetic bamboo is used as a substitute. White in its natural state, beautiful coral reds are obtained through ancient dyeing processes. This allows for the creation of blood-red jewelry, the same color as the most beautiful corals while protecting them from extinction.