Terese Lin, I cannot believe your vendor does not understand what she
is selling. The coral is dyed plain and simple…not 'irridated’
though some Chinese companies are offering what they call 'irridated’
bamboo coral nuggets.
What it is can be complicated. It the pieces are small, it is
possibly sea bamboo which is a form of kelp that grows profusely off
the West Cape of South Africa. Some Chinese companies are now
offering dyed sea bamboo beads but I have not seen any of much size.
But your coral is probably bamboo coral (keratorsis sp) which is a
white/ivory color (in natural state) and quite beautiful. It looks
like ivory - sometimes it is used as an ivory substitute. Bamboo
coral can grow quite large - several feet in height and width. But
in either event, I content it IS dyed…though not sure the substance
used. Some dyes will not bleed but, if the specific substance used is
bleeding…it will continue to bleed. Putting it in opticon will
probably not help. Coral is porous but as the surface has been
polished before dying the opticon more than likely will not penetrate
and, besides, you still have dyed coral. The best thing to do is get
a refund and advise the vendor to be careful what she sells.
I used to haunt the coral carving shops in Taiwan when they were
carving the real stuff. I have seen statues up to 3 feet or more
with spreading limbs over a foot wide…all of natural blood red
coral. In the mid 70’s a statue like that would sell for over
$20,000. Imagine what it would go for today. I have also handled a
fair amount of very old natural red coral carved in China in the
1800’s. For one with no experience it is nearly impossible to tell
the difference between the real and the dyed unless they are next to
each other. Even then it can be difficult at times.
A word of warning. Stay away from this stuff unless (1) you are
purposely buying dyed coral for use in lower end beaded necklaces or
other ornamentation and expect that some of it will bleed or (2) you
know what you are buying and know the vendor from whom you are
purchasing. Get a certificate if it is the real stuff…coral is a
protected species all over the world under the CITES agreements and
any legal collection of this deep water animal should be handled by
licensed and certified suppliers. Red coral is not normally known to
wash up on the beaches like black coral and some of the other white
corals. So there is not a readily available supply…it has to be
harvested live in the trenches.
Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
elegance IS fine jewelry! @coralnut1