Black coral

Black Coral on reef underwater

Description

Any of several types of rare black-color coral. Black coral occurs as featherlike or treelike formations. They grow in the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico near Panama, off the coast of southeastern Asia and Japan and in the Indian Ocean. Carved pieces of black coral appeared similar to horn and can be polished to a high gloss (Untracht 1985).

Synonyms and Related Terms

akabar; giojetto

Additional Information

O. Untracht,Jewelry Concepts and Technology, Doubleday & Co., Inc., New York, 1985.

Authority

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Coral." Encyclopædia Britannica. 22 Jan. 2004 .

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p.235

• Oppi Untracht, Jewelry Concepts and Technology, Doubleday & Co., Inc., New York City, 1985