Last Updated on July 6, 2022
Coral is one of the oldest and most precious forms of gems. Many believe that coral is a mineral, but few know the truth. The skeletonized remains of small invertebrates gather to make up the coral reefs.
Coral is valued high due to its uniqueness and being rare. There is a lot to know and understand about coral. Here is a complete guide about coral.
How Much Is Coral Worth?
Coral isn’t a mineral and is sold for a very high value. Fine pieces of coral can go up for thousands of dollars.
Many antique pieces of coral are sold for more than $15,000. In addition, many pieces have been sold for more than $100,000.
However, a coral has a value of around $7 to $230 per carat for jewelry. The value depends on the color, clarity, and shape of the coral you are looking at.
How To Identify Antique Coral?
Coral is an antique and historical element part of a long history. After exploring many Egyptian tombs and burial sites, coral was found engraved there.
Identifying a real coral is a challenging task. Due to the high demand for coral, many imitations and replicas of coral exist.
This has made it difficult to get hands-on with real corals. It would be recommended to get the coral identified by an expert.
Many things need to be kept in mind. Therefore, whenever you deal with corals, make sure an expert appraiser accompanies you.
Is Coral Rare?
Finding a natural coral is rare as the coral reefs are now endangered. The international rules and regulations have worked on banning the harvesting of coral from the sea.
Due to this, many people make imitations of corals using paste, wax, or dyes. However, many people now sustainably harvest environmentally friendly coral.
Furthermore, you can get those corals with legal certifications provided to you. This has made the value of antique and vintage corals go up.
How Much Is Blue Coral Worth?
Blue Coral is another type of coral you can use to make jewelry and other decorative items. It is worth around $60 to $80, depending on the size.
However, blue coral is also rare, so you should check and verify the stone before buying it.
What Type Of Coral Is Most Expensive For Jewelry?
Coral is one of the most valuable stones you can use for jewelry. Unfortunately, the most expensive one that you can get is Red Coral.
Unfortunately, finding a red coral of the finest quality is very rare. Therefore, if you find a red coral, it would be best to get it verified by an expert.
Due to the rise in counterfeits, you can easily be scammed if you are a beginner in dealing with corals.
Where To Buy Corals From?
Nowadays, due to the rise in demand for stones and minerals, there has been an increase in online marketplaces for such items. But, in addition, there were always physical stores where you could buy stones.
However, it would be best to buy from physical marketplaces for corals. It is a valuable item, and it cannot be easy to trust an online site by just seeing the picture of the coral.
Therefore only buy original corals from physical stores as you can properly check them and verify if it is original or not. Don’t forget to take an expert with you to examine and value the coral properly.
What Type Of Jewelry Is Coral Found In?
If you are talking about the finest quality of coral, it isn’t easy to find them in modern jewelry. Instead, the antique corals are mostly seen in vintage jewelry or art deco pieces.
On the other hand, you can find corals in many items when talking about jewelry. Rings, beads, necklaces, and cufflinks are common pieces in which you can find corals.
Despite the fragile nature of corals, they can be beautifully carved and used in jewelry.
How Much Is Black Coral Worth?
Black coral is one of the finest and prettiest corals you can find. They are a bit rare and valuable but not more than red corals.
The black coral, if it is large-sized and heavy, can be worth more than $20. However, if the black coral is cut for a specific purpose, it has a value of around $2 to $5.
But it is a great stone to use for jewelry and art deco items. In addition, black coral may be more fragile than red coral, so be careful handling it.