Coral A Mineral or Sea Creature

Coral is not a mineral, but the skeleton of sea creatures, thus the organic origin. Developed over many thousands of years, it consists almost entirely of calcium. Coral reefs comprise colonies of marine animals called coral polyps, which form branching structures as they grown. Coral is the skeletal material generated by these sea-dwelling coral polyps. For most corals, this material is calcium carbonate, but in the case of black or golden corals, it is a horn-like substance called conchiolin. Coral has a dull luster when recovered, but can take a bright polish. It is sensitive to even mild acids, and can become dull with extensive wear. Red and pink precious corals are round in the warm seas around Japan and Malaysia, in the Mediterranean, and in African coastal waters. Black coral comes from the West Indies, Australia, and around the Pacific Islands.

Coral is used in carvings and beads, and cut as cabochons for use in jewelry. Red coral appears as an ornament in Western European shields and helmets in the Iron Age, later to be replaced by red enamel. Fossilized coral provides unusual and interesting material in beads, cabochons and pendants. According to Greek legend, coral came from the drops of blood shed when Perseus cut off the head of Medusa. In Classical antiquity, coral was believed to be a protection against the evil eye, and was worn as an amulet. As a medication, it was believed to stop bleeding. In the 18th century, precious coral was widely used as an inlay in Japanese ornamental netsukes. It has been a favorite of Chinese carvers for at least woo millennia.

Red coral is associated with Scorpio, black coral with Capricorn, and pink with Taurus. Coral is cleansed by being left overnight in salt water once a month. It can also be placed dry in sea salt. Coral symbolizes joy and happiness, diplomacy, quieting emotions, and visualization. It enables the wearer to enjoy life. According to legend, it consists of divine blood.


Visit our website for custom designs in coral and other natural stone jewelry.


Research from mineral and crystal books and websites.

New For Spring

Fresh from the design board and studio, these new gemstone jewelry designs are classy, casual, flirty, and dressy. They will work with just about any style and fit any budget.

Flavors of yellow and blue in this necklace from Petsky Fossil Coral and blue Quartz between handcrafted wire links in non-tarnish brass.

Turquoise barrels scattered among antique gold spacers and beige seed beads.

Looking for a little spice, try this hot shades of red Coral in graduated gemstones shaped like peanuts and finished with dangle earrings.

A touch of class with this beauty made from freshwater cultured pearls among Kyanite and accented by a Lapis Luzli pendant and all in sterling silver.

Accents of red Coral hidden between nuggets and nuggets of Turquoise with all sterling silver; adding a touch of southwest to your collection.

Visit Timeless Designs for these and many other gemstone jewelry designs.

Tucson in Review

A week in Tucson, the weather was great at about 80 degrees everyday; vendors were wonderful and I was able to find many new and unusual stones for new designs this year! Whew, it was a wild and long week, hand picking thru all the merchandize, looking for that perfect strand that reflected the personalities of many of my great clients!

The week started out by visiting across the freeway from the Tucson Convention Center to the Street Vendors….miles and miles of vendors selling wears; anything from raw materials strait from the mines, polished undrilled stones to strands of beads; for as far as the eyes could see! The afternoon was spent at JOGS a favorite buying ground for many wholesale purchases. They play host to many international dealers from as far away as Poland for Amber to China for Pearls and many great U.S. dealers from AZ, NM, TX, CA, and NY. Here you could find many types of stones, finished jewelry pieces and geodes of many shapes and sizes.


The next several days included highlights to GL&W shows Gem Mall and Holidome, JGX (a miniture AGTA show), and back to JOGs and the Street Vendors.

Many great finds from deep red coral, apple red sponge coral, turquoise, ivoryite, pipestone, white magnesite (howlite), lapis, crystals, freshwater cultured pearls, agates, jaspers, pendants, copper, sterling silver and gold vermeil findings and on the very last day I was able to come across some Wild Horse Magnesite – WOW, what a find direct from mine!!



I’m very excited to begin designing with the unusual cuts, colors and stones that I found in Tucson! In the coming weeks I’ll be premiering the designs here on the blog and also on our website. For now, I’ll be busy over the next few days getting everything inventoried and then begin working in the studio!


In the meantime, over the next few weeks we will continue to mark down and deeply discount existing designs to make room for our new ones! Get in on some great deals while you can, before the original pieces and Sale are gone gone gone!