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 The incomparable Marilyn Monroe believed that diamonds were the best friends of a girl. However, she did not talk with contempt about other precious stones, like many other beautiful girls who adore glamour. Treasures have always attracted people. Adventurers and pirates sought them, the rich misers languished by them. They inspired eminent couturiers.
From time immemorial, charming "stones" were particularly regarded
as corals. They are embodiment of summer, sea and sun. They were used
to decorate jewels of the most famous firms worldwide. Despite the
special popularity of corals, scientists so far have been unable to
determine the true etymology of their names. Some think it comes from
the Greek word koraillon, meaning hard calcareous skeleton of the coral
animal. Others believe the name comes from the phrase "kura halos",
meaning "mermaid" because coral branches somehow resemble the shapes of
people. Others favour the theory that the word comes from the Hebrew
word goral, meaning "casting stone".
Corals live in depths
between three to three hundred metres in the seas around Japan, Taiwan,
northeastern Australia, the Malayan Archipelago in the Red and
Mediterranean Seas, the Bay of Biscay, at the Canary and Midway
Islands, off the coast of Sardinia, Tunisia, Algeria, Yugoslavia and
Turkey. The coral reefs and atolls of the Pacific Ocean or Australia
are one of the impressive wonders of nature. Despite their beauty,
these corals are not used as jewellery. Only corals such as "Corallium
rubrum" or "Corallium japonicum"are used for jewellery purposes. Like
pearls, corals belong to the organic material and also consist of about
90% carbonic lime. It is paradoxical that beautiful pearls and amazing
corals were born from such simple material. It once again proves that
nature does not make mistakes. Man should only know how to use his
gifts.
Corals are products of tiny living creatures, which
settled in the depths of warm seas in vast colonies. First, polyps
secrete special calcareous substance from which coral branches are then
formed. From their thickest parts, the valuable raw material is
obtained which is used for jewellery, piercing, large coral beads and
carvings.
The fragile coral trees are usually got from the seabed
using dragnets. Since first class corals, however, has become rather
rare, today a more environment conscious approach is generally applied
and divers collect the fragile coral branches. After that, the pieces
are cleaned, sorted, and treated with saws, knives, files and drills.
By the way, corals are hardly ever cut because they are fragile. Raw
corals appear dull and matted. They receive their beautiful gloss
through polishing.
Corals need not necessarily be red, although
the red color is their typical colour. They may be in a range of shades
of white, blue, brown and even black. The most coveted are the red
shades, ranging from pale petal pink and salmon to deep velvety red.
When pieces made of them are used to decorate golden earrings and
golden brackets, elite expensive watches and other jewellery and
ornaments, any self-respecting fashion-conscious person would not pass
by such "trinkets". Pieces from blue corals are very rare. The pale
pink colors are particularly considered as expensive. They are also
called "angel skin" coral. Other popular specimens are the deeply
satiated red Japanese "Moro coral", pale pink "Boke" and the red
"Sardena".
Coral jewellery should be carefully stored and be
cleaned from time to time with a soft, wet cloth. Do not worry should
the surface be scratched in spite of all care; a jeweller will be able
to polish it up. Root and foam corals are less expensive. The root
corals are independent coral species: coral bush. Jewellery with foam
corals are occasionally found in the market. Foam corals are heavier
than root corals and more expensive. Both kinds are supplied in large
quantities by Japan. They are very popular in Japan. For ages now,
corals have been used as jewellery and worshipped as a protective
stone. Corals are used as a talisman in order to ward off evil spirits.
Many people think these "stones" are capable of reducing tension and
fear and help to solve problems in family life. By the way, corals
favourably work when worn on the skin and improve the state of health
of the one who is wearing them. That is why by acquiring beautiful
"stones", you are not only decorating yourself, but also improving your
health.
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