If someone were to say ‘jewelry of the sea’, most people would instinctively think of the lustrous pearls created by clams and mussels. However, there is another precious material that is derived from organisms on the ocean floor: coral. Coral is a living photosynthetic organism that covers much of the sea floor in parts of the world like Indonesia and Australia. When it comes to coloration, coral is quite diverse; available in colors like pink, purple, red, orange, and green. Polished coral makes beautiful jewelry that emphasizes its natural color.
Some colors of coral, like pure red, are quite rare due to overharvesting, and thus pure red coral is sought after by jewelers. Coral pendants, necklaces, and bracelets are popular around the world, often being complimented by metals like silver or precious stones like turquoise.