Significance of Coral Beads

Coral beads can make any piece of jewelry beautiful and exquisite. The skeletal remains of marine animals form corals. The scientific name of coral is polyp corallicum. The most precious, expensive and valuable coral out of all the available types is the red coral known as Corallicum rubrum. The corals used for jewelry making mainly comes from the Mediterranean Sea or from Pacific Ocean. Being formed deep under the sea, corals resemble cluster of tree branches because of their calcified composition.

Coral beads are believed to have a lot of religious significance. Tibetan Lamas are often found using rosaries made of coral beads. As per the Buddhist belief, any piece of jewelry made of coral beads such as bangles, necklaces, rings, earrings etc., can help protect an individual from evil spirits and their effects. Thus, the use of coral beads has been highly recommended by the Buddhist monks in the scriptures.

Jewelry made by using coral beads is considered to be the oldest form of gemstone ornament. Coral is found to be as old as 25000 years. The use of pearls has been recorded to come into practice much after the corals.

Coral beads come in various colors. Every color of coral beads represents a unique and distinct quality about them. Red colored coral is generally associated with wealth and romance while pink corals are believed to bring good health and black ones are used against misfortune. Although highly expensive, coral jewelry is loved and worn by people all across the globe. Coral stones are the most ancient form of gemstone material. Beads made of coral are used for body adornment since a long time. The onset of use of coral beads for jewelry making is as old as Iron Age.

Being extremely delicate and expensive, the coral beads must be properly taken care of. While cleaning one must remember that coral beads are much softer as compared to other precious or semi-precious gemstones, thus, it must be gently wiped with a damp cloth. The jewelry made of coral beads must be stored very carefully in order to be saved from getting scratched. Coral beads must be prevented from getting in contact with any type of hard chemicals as it might react with those and get spoiled.

With Italy being the hub of coral jewelry manufacturing, many other countries also support this business. Due to their high cost, ornaments made of coral beads are usually purchased by wealthy people and thus, are made in exclusive designs. However, one must make sure to buy coral bead jewelry only from certified dealer as there are many fake imitations of these precious gemstones available in the market.