
mineral
White Coral
Corallium rubrum (biocarbonate calcium) / CaCO3
Hardness: 3.5-4.0 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to pure white, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Amorphous/microcrystalline, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.7
- Hardness
- 3
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3.5-4.0 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to pure white, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Amorphous/microcrystalline, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed by marine organisms (polyps) secreting calcium carbonate skeletons in tropical to subtropical shallow marine environments during the Holocene epoch.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry (beads, cabochons), traditional medicine in some cultures, and as collector specimens for marine biology and gemology.
Geological facts
Organic gemstone like ivory and pearl. Ancient civilizations believed white coral could ward off bad spirits and improve physical strength.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for a faint wood-grain pattern (growth lines) or small pits. Common in the Indo-Pacific, Great Barrier Reef, and Mediterranean Sea. Collectors should check for dye or resin coatings.
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