Description

This is a gorgeous necklace with two deep red Mediterranean coral chunk strands ending with sterling silver cone beads and bench beads. The colors are a deep rich ox-blood red that reflect the deep cold waters where the coral grew. This is a magnificent necklace.

Native Americans began to use coral shortly after it was introduced to them by the Spanish in the 16th Century. This beautiful red stone intrigued them. Strands of deep red coral were valued and worn as a form of currency. Documentation of the use of coral for decoration goes back some 30,000 years when it was used to decorate burials. Coral jewelry was made by artisans in most of the great civilizations: the Egyptians, the Mesopotamians, and the ancient Greeks.

Today, coral is one of the most sought-after materials used by Native American artists. Mediterranean coral is now considered an endangered species and cannot be purchased any longer for making jewelry. Coral supplies around the work are very limited. It may not be too long before there will be no coral jewelry produced; the only coral available will be what is already in stores or in private collections

Condition: Excellent- original condition
Provenance: From my private family collection.