Red Coral – A Visual and Cultural History of an Early Global Trade

Precious red coral belong to the genus of marine coral named Corallium (Cuvier, 1798). The small polyps construct a calcium carbonate skeleton around them which is rich in carotenoid pigments, giving red coral its name and colour. The name “red coral” is given to a wide range of coral species that have a pink, orange or red coloured skeleton.

Red coral has been harvested, manufactured and traded as a precious stone across the world for centuries – in some cases millennia. Due to its easily carved calcium carbonate skeleton and striking colour, red coral was – and still is to this day – manufactured into jewelry.

It is polished into beads and carved ornaments, such as small statues, amulets and many other sorts of decorative jewels.