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Color range: light to dark tones of red to orange-red
Value: Varies with the variety. Some
types are quite common worldwide, such as blue coral and black
coral, while others are more infrequently found, such as pink and
red. More expensive varieties, such as flower coral and cat's-paw
coral, can be found along the coast of the Turamzzyrian Empire. |
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There are many different types of coral, which vary
widely in appearance from one another. Coral stones are composed of
twisting protrusions of rock that wrap around each other. The
protrusions may be long or short, symmetrical or asymmetrical, rough
or polished, and all of these will affect the value assigned to the
stone. One noteworthy variant is flower coral, which is pale
bluish-grey in hue and receives its name because its protrusions are
arranged like the edges of petals. Another is cat's-paw coral, which
is a milky white hue and bears some resemblance to a group of cats’
paws. A third is blue ridge coral, which is a distinctive pastel
blue color like a clear spring sky. Coral
cannot be mined on land, but various types of coral are retrieved by
divers from the ocean's floor (called "harvesting" by those who
practice the art). Coral has also been known to wash ashore on both
flanks of Elanith. As well, members of the Nathala Dai collect many
varieties of coral along the shores of the Erithian homeland.
In actuality, coral is not a stone at all, but the
skeleton left behind by a peculiar plant that stretches for miles
upon miles underwater.
Coral is considered the sacred stone of Charl, the
ill-tempered Arkati who holds domain over seas and storms. As a
result, humans consider it bad luck to wear coral in seaside cities
unless the person wearing the coral is a priest of Charl or Niima.
All along the western coast, human sailors will offer coral to
placate Charl before setting sail. Members of the Order of Voln have
also been known to sacrifice coral for Charl's approval while trying
to earn Voln's favor.
Unsurprisingly, coral is attuned to the element of
water. As well, it has certain powers related to the lore of
telepathy, which can be unsettling if harnessed unconsciously rather
than consciously. In Solhaven, sailors say that carrying coral
aboard a ship will attract kraken. Multiple stories exist about
foolhardy merchants who tried to smuggle coral and attracted such an
attack. In some of the stories, the vessel is saved by Niima's
intervention; in others, the sailors save themselves by throwing the
unlucky merchant overboard.
Coral is the branchlike, calcareous framework of the coral polyp.
It is formed by the accretion of colonies of these tiny marine
animals. The structure is radial from the center of each branch.
Unlike a plant, it always grows in a direction perpendicular to the
surface to which it is attached.
Coral has been used as adornment since prehistoric times. Coral
inlays and ornaments have been found in tombs from the Iron Age.
Coral has a history of religious significance spreading from Romans
to the Tibetans. It was held in high esteem among the Chinese and
the Hindus and used as ornament in the images of their gods.
Coral is one of the seven treasures in Buddhist scriptures.
Coral
is said to protect children. In many countries, coral is given as a
gift to children.
Coral was long thought to be a powerful talisman that could stop
bleeding, protect from evil spirits, cure sterility, and ward off
hurricanes.Coral was highly regarded as a symbol of vitality by the Tibetans and American Indians and was thought to be
indispensable in bone formation, particularly for children. These beliefs applied particularly to red coral and it
was even considered to be an indication of blood disease if the coral became paler when worn. Representing
diplomacy and concurrence, coral is said to quiet the emotions and bring
inner peace as well as promoting intuition, imagination and
visualization.
Coral is the anniversary gemstone for the 35th year of marriage. |
