Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27
THE CORAL SUPPLY.
1t Comes Mainly From Towns on the
Mediterranean.
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
The revival of coral in all forms of Jew
elry. which began about two years ago has
now become more pronounced in view of
the fact that Paris has lately confirmed th.
choice of the material for purposes of
adornment. Cheap limitations of celluloid
caused the almost total extinction of coral
Tor thirty years or more. and many of the
old-estabished firms of jewelers. have re-
Gently taken large quantities of Ii from
safes and vaults, where they have re-
manned to await the long delayed return to
popularity.
Coral is now popular because it is scarce
because Ii Is being much worn In Paris and
because the number of carved pieces in the
United States is limited and there is none
being imported, for the simple reason that
coral nowadays is not being carved any
more All of the coral imported into the
United States comes from Italy, and when
the demand for carved pieces ceased In the
sixties, the Italian manufacturers ceased to
make them. The result is a lost industry.
There is not a single establishment in Italy
today where carved coral can be obtained.
American workmen can carve coral as
well as the Italians, but a single piece
such as thirty-fiye years ago cost 500 in
Italy would require from two to five weeks
work by American carvers, and the eX-
pense would be almost three times great
to the manufacturer, and the cost accord
ingly as large to the consumer. The only
beads pendants and brooches-just plain
polished pieces. having no decorations or
carvings.
There is not single establishment in
America today where coral is cut or pol
ished. 1t must all come from Italy, and as
there Is a duty OF 60 per cent to be paid
the scarcity Of it. especially Of valuable
pieces. is apparent.
The best coral is found in the Mediterra-
mean sea on the coast of Africa. 1t is cut
and polished in Leghorn, Genoa and Mar
settles. Leghorn, which is the principal
coral city In the world. has only about
seven or eight manufactures. 1t comes in
colors from black to white. green, red.
pink, and a color resembling a blue; it Is
found at a depth of 600 and 700 feet be-
meath the surface of the water. and is gath
cred by means of nets dragged over the
bottom and catching the pieces broken on
by iron bars entangled in the nets.
The cheapest shade Of coral is the dark
red and the best the pale, delicate pink.
similar to that of the inside of a rose leaf.
The celluloid imitation Is readily distin-
guished from the genuine by its lack OF
grain shading. The genuine has grain or
knotty whirl in it like the cross-section OF
a piece of wood. while the celluloid Is per-
fectly plain and has rather a dark under
glaze effect Coral Is affected by heat and
acid. 1t Is also initiated to some extent by
bone, horn and ivory, stained with ctnnf-
bar.
There are only about six or seven import
ers of coral in the United States and aside
from the stock held over from years ago
by two or three Of the biggest houses, there
is not at the present time, nor Is there
likely to be. very much carved coral either
bought or sold. Meanwhile the demand for
beads and strung coral prongs VIII con-
tinue until 1t either wears itself out or a
scarcity Of the material calls a halt. One
lures Of it revival is the utter absence OF
celluloid limitations on the market.