Coral gemstones are bright and often seen in vivid reds or delicate shades of pink. If you’re shopping for jewelry and have set your heart on buying a coral gemstone to add to your collection, here’s what you need to know. This guide will help you learn as much as possible about coral gemstones, so you can determine if you want to invest in them.
Start with the Color
When it comes to vintage coral bracelets, you’ll want to choose options in pink and red. Those hues indicate corals that have the highest value. Many coral gems in the Mediterranean Sea have hues of red, the shade of ox blood, and a shade of pink that goes from light pink to peach. Aside from bright pink and vivid red, white corals are also highly valued. On the other hand, orange corals don’t command as high a price as red, pink, and white coral gemstones. However, rising demand for the jewels is increasing the value of orange-hued coral gems. The rarest coral gem, though, is gold coral. It’s difficult to find compared to other varieties. That’s why it commands a high price on the market.
Know a Little History
You may be surprised to know that as early as the Georgian era right through the early Victorian era, corals were popular stones used for jewels. You may even find photos of blood coral beads used in the crosses of antique French rosaries. That would be quite the find. Nigerians also use corals in their necklaces, combining them with gold, marble stones, and other precious stones, turning them into jewelry that royalty wear.
Take Care of Your Corals
Coral is a soft, porous gemstone. That’s why it abrades and scratches easily. If you want to clean jewelry with a coral gem, use a damp, soft cloth to wipe the piece. Be gentle with the pressure. If you rub too hard, that could result in a scratch or dent. When it comes to cleaning solutions, soapy water is enough. Rinse in water and dry with a soft cloth. You can also use a can of compressed air to blow the dust out of pieces. Don’t use household chemicals such as ammonia, alcohol, or a polish remover. And if you’ll wash your hands, remove the coral ring or bracelets. Exposing coral and vintage jewelry to extreme temperatures can also result in damage.
Store Corals Properly
Prevent scratches by keeping each piece in a separate bag. Don’t mix it with other jewels. Harder gemstones and jewels will damage the coral. For larger pieces of coral jewelry, you can also wrap them in tissue. That also protects against scratches.
Know When to Wear
Wear your coral jewelry after you have put on your make-up and perfume. That helps minimize the contact between the perfume, your make-up, and the coral. Since coral can easily be damaged by make-up or perfume.
Shop for Coral Jewelry
Corals are typically cut into beads. You’ll often see those beads in cameos, brooches, necklaces, and bracelets. Shop for those pieces if you want a coral gemstone for your collection.
Coral is a soft, porous gemstone. That’s why it abrades and scratches easily. If you want to clean jewelry with a coral gem, use a damp, soft cloth to wipe the piece. Be gentle with the pressure. If you rub too hard, that could result in a scratch or dent. When it comes to cleaning solutions, soapy water is enough. Rinse in water and dry with a soft cloth. You can also use a can of compressed air to blow the dust out of pieces.
