We probably have the finest selection of authentic antique coral beads available anywhere on the internet. Check for yourself and you will see just how rare these beads have become.
In the Himalayan regions, coral is normally sold by weight. Tibetans generally regard red coral as being more precious than gold (some beads are selling for as much as $200 per gram in Tibet). Salmon orange to deep red beads are the most prized. And round beads are generally more sought after than other shapes. Mediterranean coral is now protected from harvesting, so it is difficult to find undyed beads. The marketplace offers many fake coral beads and dyed alternatives, however, they can never be a substitute for the real thing!
The majority of red coral found in the Himalayan regions, would have travelled along the silk route from the mediterranean. Coral is not only used for adornment but is also an important medicine. In the Tibetan culture, red coral is traditionally worn to ward off negativity. It is often passed from mother to daughter or given as part of a dowry. It is also used in Tibetan medicine as an antidote for poison.
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