Fossil Coral, Black, Cabochons, Pick Lot You Like, 100 Grams
Beauty in the Bead
$80.00
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Beauty in the Bead
Fossil Coral, Black, Cabochons, Pick Lot You Like, 100 Grams
Fossil Coral, Black, Cabochons, Pick Lot You Like, 100 Grams
If you select the “none” option, you will get a 100g lot of our choice.
Black fossil coral—often called Agatized Coral—is a unique gemstone formed through a biological and geological process spanning 20 to 30 millions years. It occurs when silica-rich groundwater seeps through the coral's calcium carbonate skeleton. The silica gradually replaces the organic material turning it into agate, a variety of chalcedony or quartz, preserving the intricate, flower-like patterns of the original marine life. The "black" variety is particularly striking, typically ranging from deep charcoal to a soft, smoky grey with distinct white or light grey "flower" patterns.
Because it is an "agatized fossil coral, it should not be mistaken for endangered or protected reef coral or precious coral. It is a pseudomorph, which means one mineral has replaced another without losing the original shape. Fossil coral is also much harder than precious coral.
Hardness 6.5 to 7
Made in China
