The characteristic “open” structure of Melithaea ochracaea is evident whether the coral is fashioned with the channels open (above, magnified 15x) or if has been impregnated with a polymer. Photomicrograph by C.P. Smith.
Pink-to-red coral has a long history as an ornamental gem material in jewelry, carvings, and sculptures. However, due to a variety of environmental and legal factors, the supply of high-quality, natural-color coral in this color range has dramatically decreased in recent years— and the quantity of dyed coral on the market has increased. From a study of more than 1,000 natural- and treated-color samples, this article summarizes the procedures that are useful to identify the color origin of pink-to-red coral. A variety of techniques—including magnification, exposure to acetone, and Raman analysis—can determine if the color of a piece of such coral is dyed. Although there are limitations to the use of magnification and acetone, Raman analysis can establish conclusively that the color is natural.
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