Of all the known corals, the most important from the ecological point of view are stony corals, they are also called madreporous, since it is the growth of these corals that forms and forms coral reefs and islands. Stony corals are found only in subtropical and tropical waters, at a depth of no more than 30 meters, with a water temperature of at least 21 ° C. Basically, the entire coral colony has a single-toned skeleton, but it also happens that in some colonies shades range from light pink to dark-burgundy colors, sometimes corals with white or white-pink spots.
Place of Birth. The main places of distribution of corals are the Indian and Pacific regions, the Coral Sea - the zone closer to the northeast of Australia and the Caribbean Sea - the West Indies, the Bahamas, Florida.
The corals are extracted mainly from the northwest coast of Africa in the Mediterranean Sea. They are widely distributed along the coast of the Bay of Biscay and the Western Mediterranean, the Malay Archipelago, the Canary Islands and Japan. In Northern Australia, the Red Sea and the Malay Archipelago, black corals are mined.
The main center for the trade of corals is Italy, the city of Torre del Greco, which lies just south of Naples. Colonies of coral polyps located at depths up to 300 m from the surface of the water are extracted with heavy networks with large cells, they are dragged along the seabed, tearing off coral polyps from the solid rocky ground, with this method of mining, many valuable materials perish and perish. After the corals are cleaned of soft tissue, sorted and sold.
Basically, the stone is used in jewelry, especially precious noble red coral. It is worth knowing that storing corals is necessary carefully, as they are quite sensitive to high temperatures, hot baths and acids. If worn for a long time, they may fade or fade.
Therapeutic and magical properties of coral
Medical properties. Coral has excellent healing properties. It affects the throat chakra. In all countries, it has long been believed that the coral improves tone, relieves fatigue, is able to protect you from nervous experiences and stress, beneficially affects the organs of sight and hearing, and improves memory. In the East, local healers often use ground white coral in fractures, they claim that thanks to the healing effect of coral, the bones are better spliced. Lithotherapists believe that corals have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, can improve blood circulation, can relieve headaches and help with sore throat. Corals of pink color have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and help get rid of insomnia. Earlier, in some countries, coral was used as a contraceptive. It is interesting that the ancient Romans, the ancient Greeks, and naturalists of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance before 1827 thought that the coral is a plant. In today's days, corals are used in medicine - they clean the blood well and help cleanse the poison, and also make salt from them.
Magical properties. The magical properties of coral have been known for a long time. In the Middle Ages in Europe it was considered a symbol of integrity. In ancient Greece, they thought that corals can give longevity. Indians in Mexico are still convinced that coral beads are able to drive away evil spirits from a person who send a fever and other misfortunes. In general, connoisseurs divide corals according to gender: reds are considered male, and white ones are feminine. Consequently, men should wear only red, and women - only white corals, as the coral will give those wearing the character traits that are peculiar to his sex. Superstitions have survived in our days, for example, Italians wear amulets from corals, believing that they guard against evil eyes, and a cross made of stone, serves them as a protection against contagious infections and diseases.
The ideal time for wearing ornaments with corals is the phase of the growing Moon. In general, it is not recommended to wear products with a stone too often, since corals tend to form at the wearer such traits of character as absurdity, capriciousness and adventurism. In the full moon is generally not recommended to wear corals, at this time they should be held for at least 10 minutes under running water, and then cleaned and left untouched until the new moon.
Astrologers allow wearing corals to all signs of the zodiac, except for the Crayfish and Lviv, especially recommend to purchase corals for Capricorn.
As a talisman, the coral is ideal for travelers, it is believed that this mineral gives its owner protection against natural disasters and other ills.