red coral

[Guest guest]

Natural red coral I believe is difficult to

obtain.Considering it an endangered species, it may even be

protected.

The red coral beads that I recently purchased is dyed red .The

red color wears out somewhat on washing.

 

Dear Prof, can one use red coral that is dyed red as a

substitute. Also wondering if its fake.

 

Thank you for your time.

 

Happy Diwali

[Guest guest]

Red coral is becoming scarce because of over harvesting and pollution.

At least in the US, you must have a license to import the material.

 

The two organic precious gemstones, coral and pearl, though they are

completely different in appearance, are chemically very similar...

mostly calcium carbonate deposited by marine invertebrates.

 

Coral for jewelry is often enhanced to improve its color and

durability. White coral is bleached. Pink coral is permeated with a

colorless wax and orange coral is stabilized with plastic. Black coral

is sometimes bleached to create gold coral. Occasionally, red coral is

dyed to deepen or make its color more uniform. All commonly used forms

of coral enhancement used in the gem trade are stable.

 

White coral that is dyed to mimic red coral is a fake and is useless

as an upaya (remedy). Everything from food coloring to red crayons are

used to dye these cheap imitations and readily wears or comes off in a

solvent.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Regards,

Allen

member, American Gem Trade Association

 

 

, " sukhjez " <sukhjez wrote:

>

> Natural red coral I believe is difficult to

> obtain.Considering it an endangered species, it may even be

> protected.

> The red coral beads that I recently purchased is dyed red .The

> red color wears out somewhat on washing.

>

> Dear Prof, can one use red coral that is dyed red as a

> substitute. Also wondering if its fake.

>

> Thank you for your time.

>

> Happy Diwali

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Allen for your comments. The " red coral " I purchased

from a Street Vendor ,color runs out with white underneath.

Since my knowledge of gemstones is almost zero, I was not

sure whether to discard it. Now I know its fake.

 

Thanks again