Korallenschmuck

Our coral jewellery, whether antique or modern, is always made from untreated Mediterranean coral. Many different pieces of jewellery such as bracelets, necklaces, brooches and earrings have been made from coral over the centuries. Together with pearls, corals are considered to be the greatest treasures from the sea. Even ancient cultures such as the Phoenicians used coral jewellery, which was artistically designed. Find out more

An overview of different coral types

Corals belong to the colony-forming cnidarians and are native to salt water. Precious corals can be combined very well with gold jewellery. They include Mediterranean and Pacific corals, which usually range in colour between dark and orange-red. However, some showcase a light pink colour.

Red precious coral

The red coral grows in bush-like stalks with heights of 20 to 40 centimetres. It lives at sea depths of up to 300 metres and is mainly found in the Mediterranean, in the waters around the Canary Islands and off the coast of Japan. The impressive bright red colours range from dark to vermilion or include more delicate shades such as pale pink.

Sardegna coral

A special form of red precious coral is the Sardegna coral, which can be found off the coast of Sardinia and impresses with its deep red colour. This Mediterranean coral can still be fished to a limited extent today and is used to create jewellery.

Salmon coral

Salmon coral is also known as Sciacca coral and was native to the coast of Sicily. It was mainly used for jewellery in the late 19th century. It was particularly popular due to its slightly orange colour. Today, this coral can only be found in historical jewellery.

Antique coral jewellery from different eras

Coral has inspired goldsmiths from all eras to create fascinating jewellery. In Europe, corals from the Mediterranean were the only ones used for centuries because of their intense colour and fine structure. In the Renaissance, they were preferred for necklaces made from large coral beads. Corals also enjoyed great popularity as rosaries in the Baroque period. It was also used as a remedy to ward off evil and as a healing agent for all kinds of illnesses. For example, they were put on teething children to relieve pain.

Biedermeier

Like all pieces of jewellery from the Biedermeier period, antique coral jewellery from this period is a delight with its opulent design. Coral brooches were particularly common. The curved lines and floral patterns go particularly well with the bright colours of the coral.

Historism and the Belle Époque

Coral jewellery enjoyed great popularity during this era: in combination with gold and silver, beautiful jewellery creations were created.

Turn of the century and Art Nouveau

In addition to multi-row necklaces and bracelets, Art Nouveau also favoured tie pins for men and brooches for women.

First half of the 20th century

At this time, traditional costume jewellery increasingly came into focus: elaborately decorated with coral, it set interesting accents. The precious corals were used to create multi-row choker necklaces, for example.

Vintage: the 50s, 60s and 70s

In the 50s, 60s and 70s, coral was often used to create large rings, necklaces or elaborate brooches. Designs with large coral elements were particularly popular during the 60s and 70s.

Modern coral jewellery

We design our modern coral jewellery in our own studio and manufacture it on site. We process the exquisite Mediterranean corals, which we obtain directly from Torre del Greco, into long chains or necklaces, earrings and pendants. Our coral jewellery can be combined in a variety of ways with different clothing styles.

How to care for your coral jewellery properly

Coral jewellery is both sensitive to heat and not very resistant to chemicals, which is why it cannot be treated with aggressive cleaning agents. You should also be careful with cosmetic products so as not to damage the precious piece of jewellery: Coral should be kept away from hairspray, perfume or deodorant if possible. After wearing, if the coral jewellery has come into contact with bare skin, it is best to rinse it with clear, lukewarm water and then dry it carefully with a soft cloth. When storing your antique coral jewellery, you should ensure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight. We therefore recommend a jewellery box for storage.

Unique jewellery from Die Halsbandaffaire: different styles and materials

Discover our large selection of different types of jewellery made from a wide variety of materials. In addition to high-quality genuine coral jewellery, you can also find many other precious pieces, such as gold, diamonds or pearls. Let our experts advise you and find your very own personal favourite piece with our help.