CaCO₃
Coral
The red branches are a polyp’s limestone house, and lifting them empties a reef faster than it rebuilds.
- Formula
- CaCO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3–4
- Crystal system
- organic
- Colour
- red, pink
- Element
- water
- Chakra (tradition)
- sacral
- Zodiac
- Pisces, Scorpio
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Italy, Japan, Taiwan
What it actually is
Coral is CaCO₃ before it is a story. The lattice is organic, Mohs 3–4, and the eye meets red, pink.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Italy, Japan, Taiwan. The red branches are a polyp’s limestone house, and lifting them empties a reef faster than it rebuilds.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Coral to water and to the sacral centre. The old site stood it near: Pisces, Scorpio.
How not to turn it to ash
Amber, pearl, coral and jet fear perfume, alcohol, ultrasonics and a sunny sill. Take them off before you wash.