gemstone

Red coral beads

Precious coral, chiefly Corallium rubrum (calcium-carbonate skeleton)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque deep-red, polished cylindrical beads with a waxy-to-vitreous luster; composed mainly of calcite, Mohs hardness about 3–4. The image does not show diagnostic structure clearly enough to confirm natural coral or distinguish it from imitation material.

Identified October 9, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Natural precious coral grows as branching marine colonies in deep Mediterranean waters and other regions; its skeleton accumulates over the animal’s lifetime. The pictured strand is shaped and polished, but its age and authenticity cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry and ornamental carving; coral is also collected, though harvesting is restricted in many places.

Geological facts

Red coral has been traded for millennia and is often imitated using dyed shell, glass, or plastic.

Field identification & locations

Natural coral may show fine growth lines and a consistent color through the bead; check with a gemologist, since appearance alone is inconclusive. Genuine red coral is associated with the Mediterranean and parts of the Indo-Pacific.