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Coral and Shell Jewelry
Information
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| Coral |
Coral was very popular in jewelry from 1840 to 1875 when
complete sets of jewelry were fashioned from these underwater treasures. Coral,
like jet, is relatively soft so it can be easily carved. Cameos, rings,
brooches, bracelets and strands of polished beads were made in abundance,
especially from the coral found in the water off the Mediterranean Sea. Children’s
jewelry, baby rattles and teething rings were also fashioned from coral since it
was believed to ward off evil. |
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In the 19th century many of the motifs were of
nature, and coral took the form of flowers, twigs, branches and leaves. Coral in
its natural state looks like little tree branches. Most of the material was combined
with intricate gold work and sometimes enamel. Gem-quality coral is found in
several of the seven seas. The most highly prized is the dark red variety found
off the coasts of Tunisia and Algeria. A black coral and a less valuable pink
variety come from the ocean around Hawaii, and a blue coral is found in the
Indian Ocean as well as parts of the Pacific Ocean. Coral in its raw form is the
many-branched remains of colonies of tiny sea creatures.
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Shell |
Shell jewelry is made from the hard, smooth iridescent
inner lining of the shell of certain mollusks (pearl, oyster, abalone, nautilus,
river mussel), consisting chiefly of plates of calcium carbonate (in the form of
aragonite or calcite). It is secreted by the mantle in thin overlapping plates and
cemented together with an organic substance from the iridescent substance known
as Nacre. This is called mother-of pearl. This substance has been used for
making cameos, carved pendants and buttons.
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The advice on about
coral and shell jewelry Information comes
from jewelry experts Linda and Perry, as well as from our frequent visitors. If
you'd like to add anything to this page, or have us add a topic of interest for
you, email us at
help@perlin-jewelry.com. |
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Our coral and shell jewelry catalog
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