Coral jewelry care

by Binashaji

The gem is fragile and more brittle than other gems. It measures only 3.5 on the Mohs scale and the splendor of the coral will diminish if not taken care of. Like Pearls, Turquoise, some corals can be porous –these gems will get damaged if immersed in water for too long.

An ancient magic stone from the ocean. The coral is taken from the Coral trees that are created in shallow warm or cold ocean waters by tiny living creatures called Polyps. Millions of years are taken to create the coral reefs, which yield these gorgeous gems. Being organic in nature, corals are delicate and break more easily than other gemstones. These gems are found in a several colors – Gold, Black, Blue, White and in an assortment of shades of Red, from pinkish to deep blood red. The Black, Blue, White and Gold corals are rare but the red corals are available in abundance, although the superior quality deep red corals that are highly valued by connoisseurs are rare and command a high price. The best of these red corals are found in Japan and Italy.

If you are being offered Coral Jewellery at throwaway prices, the corals are most probably imitation or of a lower quality. High quality corals are expensive. Corals are opaque and are polished to a high gloss after they have been cut. Fake corals are aplenty and it is difficult to spot an imitation. It is advisable to always buy Coral Jewellery from a reputed store. Corals are believed to have the power to ward of negative influences and endow the wearer with energy and vitality.

Coral Jewellery does not need high maintenance. The gem is fragile and more brittle than other gems. It measures only 3.5 on the Mohs scale and the splendor of the coral will diminish if not taken care of. Like Pearls, Turquoise, some corals can be porous -these gems will get damaged if immersed in water for too long. Take care not to use too much water while wearing coral bracelets or rings. The water may also dull the polish of the coral making it look lackluster and unattractive. If you plan to go swimming, remove your Jewellery before diving in. The chlorine present in the water can cause the corals to spoil.

Store your corals separately. Buy separate pouches for the Corals, so they do not get scratched. Other stones, which measure more than 5 on the Mohs scale, can leave scratches on your pretty red Firestones, do not mix up your corals with other gems. Your corals are precious and are becoming rare. Many countries have passed laws prohibiting corals from being taken out from the reefs, since the coral reefs are important in balancing the ocean’s ecology. Pollution, mining, indiscriminate harvesting of corals have destroyed many coral reefs, which have taken millions of years to form. Anyone who has been diving near a coral reef will agree that these reefs house a wealth of marine life and must be protected.

Regularly check the stones in your Jewellery. If any of the stones are loose, visit your jeweler and have him fix it before you loose one expensive coral from your ring. Beads in a Bracelet or Necklace should be re-strung professionally, if they break. Place your coral beads flat inside a soft, velvet pouch. Clasps are important – tug gently at your Necklaces /Bracelets after wearing it so you are sure the clasp is firmly in place. Loose clasps can result in lost Jewellery.

Harsh cosmetic products can also harm your corals. Use perfumes, sprays before wearing your Jewellery, sometimes the chemicals present in sprays can damage the corals. Do not use good old soap and water or any other detergents to clean corals. If you plan to buy a professional cleaner, check if it is coral friendly. The best way to clean coral is to just wipe it with a soft damp cloth after you have worn it. If your corals do get scratched despite care, take it to the jeweler for a polish; it will look as good as new.

Authentic Coral Jewellery with good quality stones is a pleasure to own. These beautiful gems from the ocean look eye-catching and just a little care will go a long way with corals.