Coral pendant: a treasure of the sea that you can wear

When we speak of natural jewels, we immediately think of coral, partly due to its predominant animal origin. And partly also for how it is often presented in the goldsmith’s work. Very often, in fact, a coral pendant is shown with part of the branch clearly visible.

And this reminds us of its marine origin, like a precious treasure fished from the depths of the abyss. In fact, the origin of the coral is all there, in the marine colonies on the shallow waters off our beaches. As everyone knows, coral is not a plant but an animal belonging to the invertebrate class. And it can be said that what is used in jewels, suitably treated and worked, is its skeleton.

Coral has always been used by men to make jewelery and jewels, so vivid and pure is its appearance. Growing numerous in the Mediterranean, the variety of red coral has been used in jewelery for all types of artefacts. From necklaces to bracelets, from earrings to rings to end up with lucky charm pendants. A typical coral pendant is the famous red horn, to be worn against any kind of bad luck or bad luck.

The long journey of a coral pendant

The journey of a coral branch can also start from a thousand meters deep. To get to make a fine show of itself in the form of a jewel on the décolleté of our women, but also as a lucky charm on men’s necks. Generally the average depth is included in a range between 30 and 100 meters deep.

The fishing season usually takes place between the months of April and October and, unlike in the past, today it is strictly regulated. Only authorized fishermen descend into the depths of the abyss to recover these treasures of the sea, catching only the best specimens for processing.

Thus allowing colonies to thrive by reproducing. It is therefore certainly possible to understand on the one hand the value of the jewel itself, on the other to appreciate its eco-sustainable management. Which makes coral a typical jewel of those who have a great sensitivity for the environment, as well as for lovers of beauty. All this adds value to the personality of those who sport a beautiful coral pendant on their skin.

How coral is worked as soon as it is fished from the sea

Before becoming the jewel we wear, coral must go through a long and skilful preparation work, handed down through the centuries.

• Sorting and washing. This is the very first phase after fishing. The fished corals are selected by shape and size and they are washed. All this in order to thoroughly clean the external surface, removing all incrustations. This part of the procedure is given the name of tumbling, because it is performed with specific equipment called tumblers.
• Cutting. After tumbling, the most delicate and complex phase of coral processing begins, that of cutting, by the most skilled craftsmen. Depending on the destination of its use, the coral is now riddled, drilled and finally roughed out and flattened.
• The last phase, after being perfectly smoothed, is that of polishing which always takes place by means of tumblers.

At this point everything is ready for the pieces to be inserted into necklaces and bracelets or mounted in earrings or become our coral pendant. A process made today more and more accurate and precise thanks to the automatism of some machinery, but which has lost none of the ancient craftsmanship. Giving coral jewels the vivid aspect that is so much appreciated with a simple glance and which has always been the success of the gem. Yesterday like today.