Do you have a problem knowing the original coral bead? Coral beads and jewelry are perfect statement pieces that complement every wardrobe. The Ability to discern the original coral beads from the fake is one skill every fashionista should have. Coral gemstones occur as a result of the natural coral structures that grow underwater. As one of the most versatile vibrant gemstones, coral often appears in bead form on different pieces including bracelets, necklaces or earrings. Coral jewelry has been found in ancient grave sites from as far back as 10,000 B.C. and was especially popular during Victorian times and in the 1920s.
In Nigeria, The Benin people are known for their red coral beads, which decorate the necks of the royal family and brides during cultural events. The origin of the coral beads date back to ancient Benin and hold uttermost significance to the fashion, lifestyle, culture and tradition of the tribe. These coral beads signify power, dominance and hierarchy. The corals of the Benin people, Ivie Ebo and Ekan, originate from Phylum Coelenterata (Cnidaria), a unique red coral that grows in bush-like formations in the Meditteranean Sea and the East Sea.
Known for its vibrant red colour, the Ivie is also believed to possess spiritual properties that offer protection.
How is coral formed?
Coral is developed deep in the ocean and originates from living organisms, called coral polyps. As the coral polyps die, their skeletons harden into branch-like structures that range up to 15 inches tall. These structures are then removed from the ocean and polished into the gemstone we know as coral.
Coral polyps come in many colors, so naturally the gemstone does, too. Authentic coral comes in pink, dark red and orange, and red coral is considered to be the most precious of all. Coral also exists in colors like violet, black, brown and blue, some of which are more common than you might think.
Whether it’s in the form of a delicate strand necklace or a chunky bracelet, the color of coral has been widely appreciated for its vibrancy and copied frequently by costume-jewelry companies to create an inexpensive substitute.
How to Tell If Coral Jewelry Is Real
Many consumers are hesitant about purchasing the gemstone because there are so many imitations on the market, and it can be hard to determine which products are naturally occurring gems. Unfortunately there are some pretty convincing fakes out there. Plastic, bone, shell, fossil ivory, how lit,e and onyx are some of the materials used to make imitation coral. Low quality corals have been filled with epoxy and polished to hide flaws.
Whether you just received or are looking to gift a coral piece of jewelry, there are multiple ways to determine whether it is as valuable as it seems. Use these tests to determine if that beautiful coral jewelry piece you have is the real thing or a cheap imitation.
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Knowing the Original coral bead – The weight test
The first step in determining if a piece of jewelry is real or fake is its weight. Real coral jewelry is heavier than imitations.
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Knowing the Original coral bead – The Cow milk test
All you will need for this test is your red coral bead and a glass of milk. Leave the jewelry in the milk at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. If the coral jewelry is real, it will color the milk. If the piece is fake, the whiteness of the milk will remain unchanged. The reaction between the milk and the chemical makeup of red corals causes this visible change.
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Knowing the Original coral bead – The imperfection test
First, place your coral bead on a white cloth or neutral background with a quality light source. Next, take a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the bead’s surface. If the surface is uneven and covered in bumps or granules, it is not the real gem. Real coral beads have a smooth surface, even under strong magnification. The same applies to corals with visible dents or holes on the surface. When holding your beads, you should notice they are smooth to the touch.
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Vinegar Test, Lemon Juice Test and Calcium Carbonate
One way to test your coral item is to see how it reacts with acid. Either use diluted vinegar or Lemon juice. Pick a part of your coral jewelry that isn’t easily exposed (say the underside of a ring or inside of a bracelet) and swab it gently with lemon juice to see if tiny bubbles form on the coral’s surface. If small bubbles appear, it means that the acid from the lemon juice has reacted with the coral’s calcium carbonate, a substance that dissolves in acid. If the coral is real, the spot will make effervescence and form small bubbles on its surface. Remove the lemon juice quickly if it does begin to bubble so as not to damage the coral. Wash off Coral with plenty of water
Vinegar Test: Put the piece in a bowl of highly diluted vinegar. Real red coral will make bubbles in the form of calcium carbonate in it in the presence of an acidic environment of vinegar. Again, however, the best imitations in dyed or shell bone will do the same thing. If the piece does not create bubbles, it is not real coral. Ensure you wash your coral very well with water after this test to avoid damage to your coral.
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Knowing the Original coral bead – The tapping test
Take your bead in your hand and tap on it with your fingernail. As you tap, pay attention to the kind of sound it makes. If it sounds like you are tapping on a glass object, you most likely are holding a fake since many imitation corals are made with dyed glass.
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Knowing the Original coral bead – The turmeric test
Purchase a piece of fresh, raw turmeric and rub it against the coral’s surface. If you notice any red marks on the turmeric, it is an imitation gemstone. True coral stones will not alter turmeric’s surface.
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Knowing the Original coral bead – The acetone test
To test whether your coral bead was dyed, take a small cotton swab dipped in acetone and rub it across the gem’s surface. If, after swabbing, the acetone-soaked tip has lifted some of the coral’s color, the bead is artificial and has been dyed.
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Knowing the Original coral bead – The bubble test
Take a closer look at your coral and determine if there are any visible bubbles on the surface. If so, it is probably an imitation bead made of glass or plastic. Real red coral never has bubbles. During the cooling process, the surface of plastic and glass beads is susceptible to develop bubbles.
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The Fluorescence and Heat test
A much better test is to observe the coral under long wave fluorescence. Natural coral should not fluoresce, but dye might cause bright red fluorescence.
You might also like to try bringing a heated steel point close to the surface of a bead and see if it gives off a ‘plastic’ smell. This could indicate the coral has been impregnated with plastic.
Some Myths about the Red Coral stones. (these claims can not be authenticated).
- Those people, which are involved in metals, arms, agricultural products, related services, chemicals, IT security, cybercrime, surgery, and dental business, will benefit from the red coral dress.
- Those people who have problems of blood, breast, stomach, mouth, and bone cancer, neurological problems, difficulty in breathing, low hemoglobin, kidney-related problems, hernia, paralysis, piles, painful distribution or any operation or surgery or are troubled by other physical problems are advised to wear red coral.
- It helps increase physical strength and strengthen bones. It is beneficial for snake or scorpion bites. It is useful in reducing laziness because it fills the wearer with strength and vitality. The red coral gives the wearer the strength to face fearlessness, courage and perseverance, difficulties and enemies, and most of all, it is beneficial to reduce the effect of Mars’s defect.
In Conclusion………
Knowing the authenticity of your coral bead is important to determine an appropriate price point and worth before your purchase. You can use a combination of tests to really know if you have bought or been gifted an authentic piece of coral jewelry. However, both artificial and naturally occurring coral beads make beautiful jewelry. If you do want to save money, artificial or dyed corals could be a great alternative.
Problems or worries about knowing an original coral bead is very common among precious gemstones like coral. But they shouldn’t be a reason to back out of your purchase. Conducting proper research about different reputable sellers and their catalog of products ensures you are less likely to be misled.
Glitzamarajewelry.com offers beautiful original coral beads for sale, so no testing is necessary. If the coral is artificial and has been dyed or man-made, it will be clearly marked on our website. So, go ahead and pick your favorite coral bead, without having any second thoughts about its origin.