Blue Coral

Jewelry Discussion
1

Can anyone out there tell me anything about blue coral? I am
particularly interested in learning where is comes/came from,
whether or not it is extinct, and how to test for whether or not
it has been dyed.

Perhaps some of you fellow beaders might be able to shed a
little light.

Thanks Heaps,
Joyce in Colorado

2

For awhile, I worked at Maui Divers who dive for coral in Hawaii
and make jewelry from it. They told me that “blue coral” is
white coral died.

Pam

Pam Aqui
Heirloom Rosaries
587 Kawainui St.
Kailua, HI 96734
808-262-2875

3

Can anyone out there tell me anything about blue coral?

I have never heard of this - where did you find it?

As far as testing for dye, that could be as simple as soaking it
in water (or acetone or something, although I don’t know what
this would do to the coral) to see if the dye leaches out. Maybe
try dabbing a q-tip with acetone on an unobtrusive area to see if
the dye will come off. Sometimes a little heat is necessary. A
visual inspection might be all that’s necessary or possible - dye
tends to collect and be a little darker at edges, like the holes
in beads, or fractures which had existed before it was dyed.
Obviously cheaper products will have a lower quality dye job and
the dye would probably be easier to see (and vice versa).

~kara

4

Hi Joyce,

Blue and violet coral, also known as “African star coral” or
"Akori coral" is not seen frequently and has been fished from the
coast of Cameroon. It is composed of calcium carbonate, in the
form of aragonite. These corals of the genus “Allopara” include
the species “Allopara subviolacea” and “Allopara nobilis”. These
corals are pierced with patterns of holes in form of star-shaped
in the skeleton which once housed the corals polyps, like a
central hole surrounded by 5 to 7 smaller ones. These patterns of
holes can be used for identification, when the pores have been
cut across longitudinally or obliquely, they resemble to comet
tails. Most of the time these corals are plasticized to fill in
the pores, the specific gravity of the filled material is about
2.4.

To detect dye : put a small amount of nail polish remover on a
cotton swab and rub the specimen, the dye will come off.

Best Regards,

Francoise.

5

Blue sponge and red sponge corral comes from the Phllipines, and
is mostly used for making beads. Sometimes the lighter coulor is
dyed. When dyed and not coated with plastic it will fade out.
Lloyd

6

Kara, Genuine blue coral is a very pretty gem substance. It’s
not easy to find - though I did have a chance to work with some a
few years ago. Does anyone have a source for Blue or Violet
coral? Same for Apple Coral and Tiger Coral. Any info would be
appreciated - as I would really like to find some of these
species for my current projects. Thanks! -Pete-

7

Dear Friend,

Your on blue coral is interesting, thank you.
Please let me know if the golden coral said to exit, it is true?

Regards,

Tay

8

Hello Tay,

Golden coral do exist, it is of a dark yellowish to light golden
brown colours.

It will show a distinctive appearance, as if it is marked with
small spots or fine pimples.

It is primarily composed of conchiolin and has a specific
gravity of about 2.12.

Treatment : Golden coral can be bleached.

Best Regards,

Francoise.