gemstone
Precious Coral
Corallium rubrum
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale, red to pinkish-orange color, waxy to vitreous luster, and composed primarily of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale, red to pinkish-orange color, waxy to vitreous luster, and composed primarily of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite.
Formation & geological history
Formed by marine colonial invertebrates called polyps in deep ocean waters, growing over decades to centuries in branching skeletal structures.
Uses & applications
Widely used in high-end jewelry, beads, carvings, and ornamental art objects due to its vibrant and enduring color.
Geological facts
Precious coral has been traded and valued as an amulet and gemstone since ancient Egyptian and prehistoric times.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its organic origin, reactive fizz with dilute acid, and characteristic concentric internal growth patterns.
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