Frequently asked questions

• Is coral in the bead trade usually natural red, or dyed?

  Most coral beads on the market — including bamboo coral and sponge coral — are bleached and then dyed to reach the saturated reds, oranges, and pinks designers expect. Undyed natural-color coral exists but is less common in calibrated bead form and tends to show softer pinks, whites, and salmon tones with visible growth pattern. Treatment (natural, bleached, dyed) should be disclosed — ask before buying if it isn't specified, especially if you're matching a previous strand or marketing the piece as natural color.
• How do bamboo coral and sponge coral differ from each other?

  Both are real coral species used in beadwork, but they look different. Bamboo coral has a denser, more uniform structure with visible darker growth rings or nodes — it takes dye evenly and is often sold as a red coral substitute. Sponge coral is more porous with a visible pitted, web-like texture, and that texture stays visible after polishing. Sponge coral is generally lower density and more affordable; bamboo coral holds a smoother polish. Check the specific listing for which species you're buying — the cut and finish read differently in finished jewelry.
• How should I care for coral jewelry once it's strung?

  Coral is soft (Mohs 3–4) and porous, so treat it more like pearl than like quartz. Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaning entirely — both can crack the bead or pull dye. Keep coral away from perfume, hairspray, lotion, household cleaners, and acidic foods; calcium carbonate reacts with acid and will etch. Wipe with a soft damp cloth after wear and store separately from harder stones that can scratch it. Sweat and chlorinated pool water are also problems over time, so coral works better in earrings and necklaces than in everyday bracelets or rings.
• What jewelry projects does coral work best in?

  Coral's warm reds, oranges, and pinks pair well with brass, gold-fill, and yellow gold — the warm metals push the saturation. It also reads beautifully against turquoise, lapis, and ivory-toned bone or pearl, which is why southwestern and Mediterranean-inspired designs lean on it heavily. Smaller rounds (3–6mm) work for delicate strands and spacer accents; 8–12mm rounds, coins, and tubes carry statement necklaces and earrings. Because of its softness, avoid coral in rings and in bracelets that will see daily abrasion.
• What stones get confused with coral, and how do I tell them apart?

  Dyed howlite, dyed magnesite, and dyed bone are sometimes sold as coral substitutes — they hit similar reds but lack the organic grain or porous texture real coral shows. Reconstituted or composite coral (powdered coral bonded with resin) is also common and should be disclosed as such. Real coral, whether bamboo or sponge, will show either growth rings or a pitted natural texture under magnification, and it feels warmer and lighter in hand than dyed stone substitutes. If species or treatment matters for your project, confirm before ordering.