Coral for Gemstone Jewelry

Color in coral ranges from pure white through yellow, pink, and red, to black. The pink, red and black varieties are quite highly prized for jewelry and other ornamental purposes. The pink and red are found in the Mediterranean, and because of their value, coral fisheries are maintained off the coasts of southern Europe and of northern Africa. These branching corals are procured by a grappling apparatus which is dragged over the bottom of the sea and breaks off the coral and holds it until it can be drawn to the surface. These corals take a high polish and are wrought into jewelry, necklaces and other ornaments, the chief centers of the industry being Naples and Genoa. In value they vary according to their color and fineness, the most beautiful specimens bringing a high price.