Unusual properties of coral stone, history of its discovery and cost. Coral: properties of a mineral and application in esotericism

Coral is a fragile stone and therefore needs careful handling. You cannot drop it, hit it and leave it in the sun. You need to clean the stone without using household chemicals. If you follow these simple rules, then the coral will have a long operational period.

Coral stone is perhaps the first mineral used to create jewelry. The oldest items with coral inserts found by archaeologists date back to the 4th century BC. Currently, the level of pollution of the world's oceans threatens the existence of this amazing stone, so its value is steadily growing every year.

Origin story

The name of the stone has several versions. According to one of them, the Greek word "coralion" means "that which solidified in the hand." Coral was popular in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, but it earned special respect in antiquity. He often figured in ancient Greek mythology, and the supreme sea god Poseidon lived in a palace built from these stones.

According to another version, the Arabic word "goral" means "amulet stone". Muslims used black corals to create funeral wreaths, rosary beads, knife shafts, and cane handles. It was believed that the powerful spiritual powers of the stone were passed on to its owner.

In Russia, it was believed that coral was found in the brain of a dragon, therefore it was called a dragonite. It was considered a prophetic stone and was used to perform magical rites. Ominous properties were attributed to the dragonite; he was an instrument of revenge and corruption.

In the Middle Ages, Venice became the center of trade in these stones. Body jewelry, miniature sculptures were made from red corals, they were inlaid with weapons and the frames of church books. A pink-colored stone was worn by young girls as a symbol of modesty and purity.

Today, most of the coral comes to the world market from India, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The unusual stone is still interesting not only for collectors, but is also experiencing a new wave of popularity.

Origin and extraction

Coral as a semi-precious stone is of organic origin. It is formed by the oldest groups of multicellular organisms - coral polyps, which have been on the earth for about 550 million years. By processing the salts contained in sea water, they release lime with the formation of plantar plates. The result is coral reefs, atolls and even entire islands.

For a long time, corals were considered plants, and only in the 18th century their animal origin was proven. In jewelry, only lime frameworks are used - external skeletons left after the death of polyps. The most valuable part is the top of the coral tree.

On an industrial scale, corals are harvested using weighted, coarse nets, which are moved and dragged along the seabed. The management of bottom nets and trawls is automated. However, such mining spoils and perishes most of the valuable material.

The profession of a coral diver is still in demand. Many of them die at an early age, faced with the dangers that hide underwater depths; others because of decompression sickness. The best fishermen live on the island of Cozumel, located in the Caribbean off the coast of Mexico.

Physicochemical properties

Coral is an opaque stone that shines through at the edges. The hardness of the mineral is low: for red varieties it is 3-4 according to Mohs, for black varieties it is two times lower. As a result, the coral is easily scratched with a knife.

In its raw form, the stone has a matte, even rough surface. It is rubbed with special wax polishes, giving a silky shine.

Natural corals can fade and fade when worn. But the most common reason for this phenomenon is poor-quality paint. Cheap white and even pink corals are immersed in hydrogen peroxide to give the popular red hue, and are also treated with chemical dyes.

Colors

Natural coral has a rich color palette - 350 shades. The color of a mineral depends on the level of illumination during its growth, as well as the composition of organic matter.

The following varieties are most popular in jewelry:

Red and pink corals

They owe their color to their high iron content. They are found mainly in warm seas at a depth of 30 to 500 meters. The best red corals are found off the coast of Algeria.

Black, or akabara

They do not like sunlight, grow in caves and grottoes at great depths in the waters near Mexico and Australia. The resulting stones have a low hardness, therefore, only formations over 50 years old are used in jewelry.

White, or bianco

These corals are considered to be the cheapest, so they are often dyed in the more popular colors.

Blue, or akori

They are highly porous and difficult to polish. The rarest and most valuable are spongy acori of rich, almost blue color.

Pale pink corals

Received the name "angel skin". These delicate natural stones are also highly prized.

In addition, multi-colored corals are often found in nature.- a fantastic combination of golden, black and red shades.

Medicinal properties

There is an unconventional medical practice that uses the healing properties of precious and ornamental jewelry stones - lithotherapy.

According to this theory, coral is capable of:

1. To activate metabolism.
2. Normalize the work of the cardiovascular system.
3. Help with depression and neurosis.
4. Heal abscesses and ulcers, including internal ones.
5. Regulate the work of the pancreas.

In addition, the stone is a source of protoglandin hormones. It is crushed into dust and used internally as a contraceptive.

Hindus believe that coral has an effect on the throat chakra, which is responsible for breathing, hearing and the skin. Ayurveda includes coral among the nine stones that symbolize the planets and govern all processes on earth. The blood red stone is associated with Mars - the patron saint of vitality and passion. It warms its owner, inspires him to courageous and courageous deeds.

In Portugal, they believe that red coral helps with headaches, in England - from sore throats, in Mexico - from fever. In the countries of Southeast Asia, coral powder is sold in pharmacies and is added to ointments, tinctures, and potions.

White coral is used in dental prosthetics in Japan to accelerate the healing of bone fractures. Its calcium structure is easily perceived and absorbed by the human body.

Coral is also popular in cosmetology. On its basis, an antioxidant peeling is made, which has an effective rejuvenating effect on the skin.

Magical properties and beliefs

As a talisman, coral improves memory. It is considered a talisman against poison, witchcraft, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, develops intuition and logic. The ideal time to wear is the new moon phase, and the most dangerous is the full moon period. Often wearing coral jewelry is not recommended, as it provokes moodiness and eccentricity.

Natural stone has long been considered the patron saint of travelers. It protects from the dangers lurking in distant wanderings, helps to establish new connections, soothes bad weather, calms down storms and thunderstorms.

However, a coral sunset in the evening sky foreshadows just windy and restless weather.

Phallic coral amulets are very popular in Thailand. They symbolize the lingam of the god Shiva, which protects the owner from evil spirits. Amulets are worn around the neck or on the belt, mantras are read over them, and ritual chants are arranged.

In South India, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, women wear coral beads to bring peace and harmony to marriage and to cope with infertility. In addition, the mineral acts as an indicator of the state of health - a sharp loss of color indicates a serious illness of its owner. If you dreamed about a coral, this is a sign of recovery from a serious illness.

35 years of married life together is called a coral wedding. On this anniversary, the husband and wife give each other jewelry with coral inserts, talismans and souvenirs.

Coral in astrology

In astrology, it is generally accepted that red coral is a masculine stone, and white coral is a feminine one. It is not recommended to wear inappropriate color for representatives of the opposite sex: a woman who regularly puts on jewelry with red coral will acquire rough and masculine features, and vice versa.

Coral has a beneficial effect on people born per year Tiger or red Cat(1962, 1974, 1986, 1998). He brings them good luck, protects strangers from anger and envy. As for the signs of the zodiac, red coral will be a great talisman for Pisces or Aries... But it is categorically contraindicated for signs of the earth. Virgos especially do not like him with their pragmatism and complex character.

White coral fits Taurus and Cancer... It promotes rapid healing of wounds, heals from physical and mental ailments. As for the names, coral patronizes Irina, Victoria, Svetlana, Nadezhda, Nonna and Afanasy. At the same time, talisman stones bring good luck to their owner only if they are obtained in an honest way.

Decorations

The most traditional coral decoration is beads. They help to give the image bright and juicy folklore notes. But the richness of the natural palette allows the use of the mineral in a wide variety of decorations.

Delicate pink coral is suitable for a young girl's ring, bright orange in gold setting will adorn a mature lady, rich black will ennoble a man's signet or bracelet.

Untreated coral twigs are also used as decorations. They are called cornetti and are worn around the neck as a pendant. Such an unusual product is successfully combined with a romantic image.

Care

It is not difficult to take care of the stone - it is enough to protect it from scratches, acids, hot baths. Natural minerals don't like cosmetics and perfumes. Excessive moisture is harmful, and vice versa, dryness.

Store items with coral inserts separately from other jewelry. The ideal option is tissue paper packaging. It is not recommended to use plastic bags - the mineral must "breathe".

How to identify a fake?

The main criterion by which you can determine whether the coral in front of you is natural is its price. It shouldn't be too low.

Several substitutes for natural stone are currently common:

1. Synthetic counterpart, or Gilson's coral. It was first obtained in 1972 in a Swiss laboratory from calcite powder. In terms of its physicochemical properties, Gilson's coral is almost identical to the stone mined from the ocean depths, but it costs much less. It can be distinguished from a natural mineral by the absence of a characteristic mesh pattern on the surface.
2. Quartzite. It is a cheap stone that looks like coral on the outside. It is easy to recognize by its temperature - it always stays cold.
3. Coral imitation. They are created from pressed coral shavings with the addition of dyes and plastics. There are also very cheap counterfeits, completely consisting of glass, plastic or polymers. It is easy to recognize them by their uniform color, which is very rare in nature. You can grind a piece of stone and add acetic acid - the natural calcium material will enter into a chemical reaction, as a result of which bubbles form on the surface.

Like many seafood, natural coral becomes brighter after a long stay in the water: this does not happen with imitations and fakes. Conversely, if a poor quality colored stone was purchased, then the water can change color.

1. Coral is popular and revered in the United States. So, the black mineral is the symbol of Hawaii, and the agate one is the state of Florida. Here is the city of Cape Coral, which has the largest number of shipping canals in the world.
2. Once on land, the coral begins to age and slowly die. After 200 years, the former marine life can completely dry out and turn into dust.
3. The Great Barrier Reef is not only the largest coral formation, but also the largest natural object on Earth, formed by living organisms. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2013, a scandal erupted around the reef: during an American-Australian military exercise, four bombs were mistakenly dropped on it. Fortunately, the Great Barrier Reef was not damaged.
4. Until now, it has not been reliably established why Karl stole the corals from Clara. Presumably, the reason for the act was revenge for the stolen favorite clarinet.

Can a stone have power? How are they able to influence the fate of a person and what does their action depend on? You can leave these questions open or look for answers in the scientific field.

Astrology does not always explain how a particular natural stone has an effect, the main thing is that there is a result, and each type of stone has certain properties. You can consider stone coral, magical properties which is very strong in various areas of human life. Depending on the color of the natural stone, it more affects one or another side of the life of its wearer.

This stone has amazing power that affects different aspects of a person's life. For many people, they are the most important, and a feature of this stone can be considered high compatibility with many signs of the zodiac.

Coral of different colors can suit a large number of people, it will become an excellent talisman, keeper of the hearth and health, an assistant in career growth. cannot be limited, he affects everything that concerns his carrier, trying to make his life as good as possible.

A very beautiful stone of natural origin is white coral, magical properties which will always be:

Protect your wearer from all misfortunes. This applies to accidental incidents that can bring trouble. Also, avoidance of acquaintances and meetings with ill-wishers, who may deliberately call bad luck or illness.

White coral is an excellent stimulator of the heart, respiratory tract, and other internal organs. It maintains their health and enhances the results of treatment, perfectly affects the human nervous system, allowing them to always remain calm.

A strong family is important to almost every person, this stone keeps a home, protecting spouses from mutual betrayal and lies. It is best for a wife to wear white coral with faith in the loyalty of her husband and a desire to live together a long life in harmony and sincerity.

Most of all, coral of natural origin and any color is suitable for the representatives of the following signs of the zodiac: Gemini, Aquarius, Cancer, Virgo, Pisces, Libra, Sagittarius.

Looks great as a variety of decorations pink coral, magical properties which are in many ways similar to white. This stone has a stronger influence on the love sphere of a person's life. It is he who is chosen when you need to find your soul mate and build a strong relationship with her on trust. This stone will protect its wearer all his life, as the strongest talisman to attract good luck and help in achieving all good goals.

If you dreamed about a red or pink coral, then this predicts recovery from an illness.

Natural stones are always endowed with some magical power that can influence a person's life, whether he believes it or not. Usually stones act as amulets, but their capabilities are not limited.

An important step is the choice of a stone for a specific person in accordance with the attitude to a particular sign of the zodiac, character traits and magical properties of various stones.

Foreword

Red coral or, as it is also called, noble, refers to the type of coral polyps. Like other species, this is a colonial animal, which, after removing it from the water, turns into an expensive mineral.

Red corals live at a depth of 10-200 m. As a rule, they are harvested in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Algeria, Italy, Morocco, in the Red Sea, off the coast of Malaysia, Japan, Australia, as well as near the Hawaiian Islands. Branched colonies are formed here, which are firmly attached to the rocky ground. The mineral is in the form of small leafless shrubs. They can be up to 1 m high. If you look at the photo, red corals demonstrate their beauty and originality well. It should be noted that the cost of the material will be the higher, the fewer natural defects and the smoother the color. Ideally, the stone should be free of holes, cracks and stains.

The properties of red corals are similar to those of the rest, they are also not resistant to acids and high temperatures.

Color palette of red corals with photo

The bright red and dark red corals are also called "fire", "blood flower" and "bloody foam". This is the most valuable variety. Although the color palette of this mineral can also be pale pink, light red, with pale red or white spots. And all of this applies to red corals.

As for the red jewelry material, they are mined, most often in the Mediterranean, between Tunisia and Sardinia. There are a great many commercial names to correctly identify the various shades of their color. In this case, it happens that only in the nomenclature of one company there can be up to 16 names of red minerals. To exclude this, there are four main varieties of the color of a noble stone:

Bovine blood - dark brown red color (rare and expensive);

Sardinian - scarlet, truly "coral";

Salmon - orange-red (salmon);

Angel skin - pale pink

The colors are listed in order of decreasing value.

Red coral stone and its imitation

The high cost of the mineral has led to a large number of counterfeits. There is no limit to imagination: plastic beads "like coral", and natural mineral, painted in a certain color, and pressed coral shavings, and products made of opaque painted glass. The glass is the easiest to distinguish, as it will be heavier than polyps. In jewelry, the natural mineral is found in two forms: pressed and turned. Most often, beads are made from "branches" of a large circle. As long as the stone is untreated, it has a matte appearance. The gloss is obtained after polishing. High quality red coral is a stone without cracks or holes.

Given the limited supply of gem-quality polyps, which is due to their slow growth, it is often necessary to resort to different methods of refining stones. So, to obtain a pink or expensive dark red color, without obtaining a shade of orange, staining of the material with light colors is used.

There are several simple and affordable ways to identify a fake at home. If the product is immersed in a glass of milk, the milk will acquire a pinkish or reddish tint from a real red mineral. None of the other materials will give this effect. If the color of the milk has not changed, then the stone is fake.

In glass fakes, processing lines or bubbles are very often visible, while thin stripes are noticeable in plastic imitations.

You can also test by placing the mineral in a container with a mild vinegar solution. If the stone is real, then bubbles will appear in the water. But such bubbles can also appear if the product is made of coral shavings, bone or shell.

Red coral on video: