Jasper Skeleton

Precious coral
Habitat
Red corals grow on rocky seabottom with low sedimentation, typically in dark environments--either in the depths or in dark caverns or crevices. The original species, C. rubrum, is found mainly in the Mediterranean Sea. It grows at depths from 10 to 300 m, although the shallower of these habitats have been largely depleted by harvesting. In the underwater caves of Alghero, Sardinia (the "Coral Riviera") it grows at the depth of 4 m. The same species is also found at Atlantic sites near the Strait of Gibraltar and at the Cape Verde Islands. Other Corallium species are native to the western Pacific, notably around Japan (Corallium japonicum) and Taiwan; these occur at depths of 350 to 1500 m in areas with strong currents.
Anatomy
In common with other Gorgonacea, red corals have the shape of small leafless bushes and grow up to a meter in height. Their valuable skeleton is composed of intermeshed spicules of hard calcium carbonate, colored in shades of red by carotenoid pigments. In living specimens, the skeletal branches are overlaid with soft bright red integument, from which numerous retractable white polyps protrude. The polyps exhibit octameric radial symmetry.
Coral as a gemstone
Polished fragments of fake dyed red bamboo coral
Chinese coral sculpture
Non precious red dyed sponge coral earrings
The hard skeleton of red coral branches is naturally matte, but can be polished to a glassy shine. It exhibits a range of warm reddish pink colors from pale pink to deep red; the word coral is also used to name such colors. Owing to its intense and permanent coloration and glossiness, precious coral skeletons have been harvested since antiquity for decorative use. Coral jewelry has been found in ancient Egyptian and prehistoric European burials, and continues to be made to the present day.
Precious coral has relative density of 3.86 and hardness 3.5 on the Mohs scale. Due to its softness and opacity, coral is usually cut en cabochon, or used to make beads.
History of trade in coral
At the beginning of the Christian era, there was a great trade carried on in coral between the Mediterranean and India, where it was highly esteemed as a substance endowed with mysterious sacred properties. It is remarked by Pliny that, previous to the existence of the Indian demand, the Gauls were in the habit of using it for the ornamentation of their weapons of war and helmets; but in his day, so great was the Eastern demand, that it was very rarely seen even in the regions which produced it. Among the Romans branches of coral were hung around children's necks to preserve them from danger, and the substance had many medicinal virtues attributed to it. A belief in its potency as a charm continued to be entertained throughout medieval times; and even early in the 20th century in Italy was worn as a preservative from the Evil Eye, and by females as a cure for sterility.
From the middle ages upwards the securing of the right to the coral fisheries on the African coasts was an object of considerable rivalry among the Mediterranean communities of Europe. Previous to the 16th century they were controlled by the Italian republics. For a short period the Tunisian fisheries were secured by Charles V to Spain; but the monopoly soon fell into the hands of the French, who held the right till the Revolutionary government in 1793 threw the trade open. For a short period (about 1806) the British government controlled the fisheries, but later returned to the hands of the French authorities. Previous to the French Revolution much of the coral trade centred in Marseilles; but since that period, both the procuring of the raw material and the working of it up into the various forms in which it is used became peculiarly Italian industries, centering largely in Naples, Rome and Genoa.
Coral in mythology
The origin of coral is explained in Greek mythology by the story of Perseus. Having petrified Cetus, the sea monster threatening Andromeda, Perseus placed Medusa's head on the riverbank while he washed his hands. When he recovered her head, he saw that her blood had turned the seaweed (in some variants the reeds) into red coral. Thus, the Greek word for coral is 'Gorgeia', as Medusa was one of the three Gorgons.
Poseidon resided in a palace made of coral and gems, and Hephaestus first crafted his work from coral.
The Romans believed coral could protect children from harm, as well as cure wounds made by snakes and scorpions and diagnose diseases by changing colour.
Trivia
The two biogenic precious gemstones, coral and pearl, although drastically different in appearance, are chemically very similar. Both are mostly calcium carbonate deposited by marine invertebrates.
Another unrelated species, the Hawaiian black coral is sometimes used as an ornamental material. Its skeleton is not mineralized, consisting mostly of conchiolin.
In Vedic astrology red coral is associated with the planet Mars.
A branch of red coral figures prominently in the civic coat of arms of the town of Alghero, Italy.
References
^ a b c d "Corallium species". ARKive. http://www.arkive.org/coral/Coral/corallium_more.html. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
^ a b c "Gemstones: Coral". http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/coral.html. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
^ a b "Red Coral". Marenostrum. http://marenostrum.org/vidamarina/animalia/invertebrados/cnidarios/corales/rojoi.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
^ "Jewelry Central". http://www.jewelrycentral.com/Target_Coral.asp. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
^ "Coral". Encyclopdia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.
^ "Passage from Ovid's Metamorphoses about the origin of coral". http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0422/is_2_81/ai_55174794/pg_34. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
External links
www.arkive.org Photos of living red corals and skeletons (Accessed 02 February 2007)
International Colored Gemstone Association Extensive info on gemstone coral and jewelry photos (Accessed 02 February 2007)
American Gem Trade Association Information on coral as a gemstone (Accessed 02 February 2007)
Organic Gems: Red Coral Jewelry Photos of raw coral material and coral jewelry (Accessed 02 February 2007)
Mediterranean red coral: research team International Research Team on Mediterranean red coral (Accessed 15 March 2007)
v d e
Jewellery
Forms
Anklet Belt buckle Belly chain Bracelet Brooch Chatelaine Crown Cufflink Earring lapel pin Necklace Pendant Ring Tiara Tie clip Watch (pocket)
Making
People
Bench jeweler Goldsmith Jewelry designer Lapidary Watchmaker
Processes
Casting (centrifugal, lost-wax, vacuum) Enameling Engraving Filigree Metal clay Plating Polishing Repouss and chasing Soldering Stonesetting Wire wrapping
Tools
Draw plate File Hammer Mandrel Pliers
Materials
Precious metals
Gold Palladium Platinum Rhodium Silver
Precious metal alloys
Britannia silver Colored gold Crown gold Electrum Platinum sterling Shakudo Shibuichi Sterling Silver Tumbaga
Base metals/alloys
Brass Bronze Copper Kuromido Pewter Stainless steel Titanium
Mineral gemstones
Aventurine Agate Alexandrite Amethyst Aquamarine Carnelian Citrine Diamond Emerald Garnet Jade Jasper Malachite Lapis lazuli Moonstone Obsidian Onyx Opal Peridot Quartz Ruby Sapphire Sodalite Sunstone Tanzanite Tiger's Eye Topaz Tourmaline
Organic gemstones
Amber Copal Coral Jet Pearl Abalone
Terms
Carat (unit) Carat (purity) Finding Millesimal fineness
Related topics: Body piercing Fashion Gemology Metalworking Wearable art
v d e
Corals and coral reefs
Stony corals
Scleractinia Hermatypic coral Blue coral Brain coral Pillar coral Staghorn coral Table coral
Soft corals
Alcyonacea Black coral Bamboo coral Organ pipe coral Sea fans Sea pens
Coral diseases
Coral bleaching Black band disease Skeletal eroding band White band disease White pox disease
Coral reefs
Atoll reef Cay Fringing reef Microatoll Coral reef fish The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs
Coral regions
Deep water coral Andros, Bahamas Belize Barrier Reef Coral Sea Islands Coral Triangle Great Barrier Reef Maldives New Caledonia Barrier Reef Pulley Ridge Raja Ampat Islands Red Sea Southeast Asian coral reefs
Protection
Coral reef protection Project AWARE Reef Check Reef Ball Coral Reef Alliance International Society for Reef Studies
Other
Coral biology Coral dermatitis Coral (precious) Coral rag Coral sand Coralline algae Fire coral Rugosa (extinct) Tabulate (extinct) Zooxanthella
Categories: Anthozoa | Gemstones
About the Author
I am China Crafts Suppliers writer, reports some information about authentic fendi purse , embossed leather wallets.
Skeleton - Halloween Prop
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