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Black Coral Bead Necklace image 1
Black Coral Bead Necklace image 2
Lot 57Y

Black Coral Bead Necklace

7 December 2016, 10:00 PST
Los Angeles

Sold for US$2,250 inc. premium

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Black Coral Bead Necklace

Coastal waters of Hawaii
Black corals (Antipatharia) are a group of deep water, tree-like corals. Though black coral's living tissue is brilliantly colored, it takes its name from the distinctive black or dark brown color of its skeleton. First discovered in Hawaii off the coast of Maui in 1958 it was designated as the official state gem in 1987. Black coral has been harvested for centuries as a charm and medicine. It was believed black coral had the power to ward off evil and injury (its Latin name antipathies means "against suffering"). Early Hawaiians ground black coral branches into a medicinal powder. The present necklace, designed as a continuous strand of elongated beads has excellent polish and a rich homogenous black hue, each bead measuring approximately 38 x 14mm. Total weight approximately 510.5 carats (102.0 grams). Length 30in

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