Coral
Throughout the centuries, Coral has been used as a stone of protection and as a remedy for stress and anxiety. Coral is formed as coral larvae attach to submerged rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges of islands or continents. Although Coral has a wide colour range including black, pink, blue and white, the distinguishing characteristic of precious corals is their durable and intensely coloured red or pink-orange skeleton. Red corals grow on rocky seabottom with low sedimentation, typically in dark environments such as dark caverns or crevices.
Precious coral is found throughout the world but Torre del Greco has been known as the top coral trading centre for over 200 years, home to almost 75% of the world’s supply of coral. Coral
Coral is a historic stone, having been used in Ancient Egyptian tombs as protection against evil spirits in the afterworld as well as in pre-historic European burials. The association with protection continued in other cultures such as in the Roman Empire where branches of coral were hung around the necks of children to protect them from danger. The Gauls used coral for protection in battle, with coral ornamenting their helmets and weapons. More recently, in the early 20th century, coral was popularly used in Italy as protection from the ‘evil eye’.
Coral is a 35th anniversary gemstone and is associated with the root chakra and therefore a connection to one’s physical body and to the earth. Coral encourages grounding and stability, and is said to quiet the emotions, bringing peace within. Coral may be used to strengthen both the circulatory system and the bones of the body.