Corals are small marine animals known as polyps. These polyps live in colonies and build on the calcified skeletal remains of their own dead, creating tree-like structures. They can be found in warm shallow water or deep sea colonies.
Sea coral has a wonderfully vibrant and slightly variated colour, a banded crystal structure, and a slightly oily texture. Red coral comes from the Western Mediterranean and African coast, Red Sea, Malaysian Archipelago, Japan, and Hawaii. Sponge coral (as in the above necklace) is lightweight and not endangered.
Historically, coral was valued at the same level as diamonds due to its' colour and rarity. Environmental concerns have affected its' recent popularity, however, harvesting of coral is controlled by environmental laws that protect reefs from long-term damage. The main threats to coral (particularly reef coral and deep sea corals) come from the fishing industry, rising water temperature due to global warming, and deep sea oil and gas development. Canada, along with Australia, New Zealand and Norway, have begun to change their fishing practices to protect coral in their countries.
References:
Crowe, J. (2006). The jeweler's directory of gemstones. Richmond Hill: Firefly Books.
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