Fossil coral is a natural type of gemstone formed by ancient corals. The proper name for fossil coral is 'agatized coral' or 'agatized fossil coral', because during formation, the coral remains are gradually replaced with agate, a variety of naturally occurring chalcedony, or microcrystalline quartz. Fossilized Coral is organisms that live in warm, shallow marine waters. They are often fossilized by infilling and replacement with quartz or calcite. These materials can be polished into attractive gems. Actually, the proper name for fossil coral is ‘agatized coral’ or ‘agatized fossil coral’, because, during formation, the coral remains are gradually replaced with agate, a variety of naturally occurring chalcedony, or microcrystalline quartz. It is created through the process of replacement, whereby calcium carbonate(CaCO3) (coral) is replaced by silica. This unique process of preservation can result in different mineral concentrations from specimen to specimen. It can be mistaken for other types of agate such as moss or dendritic agate, but the pattern and body colour of fossil coral is quite distinct. Fossil coral is also much harder than precious coral.
These, Fossil Coral specimens are found in either Indonesia or the United States (Florida and Georgia). But, Indonesian fossilized coral is considered to be the most desirable and unique. Actually, in Indonesia, entire coral heads are often found perfectly preserved, appearing exactly as they did 20 million years ago, though density may vary according to the exact chemical replacement of silica, manganese(Mn), iron(Fe) and other various types of minerals. Fossil coral is created through the process of replacement, whereby calcium carbonate (coral) is replaced by silica. This unique process of preservation can result in different mineral concentrations from specimen to specimen. Silica can range from light amorphous opaline to dense forms of chalcedony. Thus, FOSSIL CORAL specimens may have slightly varying densities depending on the exact mineral concentration. Fossil coral can be mistaken for other types of agate such as moss or dendritic agate, but the pattern and body color of fossil coral is quite distinct. Fossil coral is also much harder than precious coral. Most agatized fossil coral exhibits a dull to waxy luster and interesting skeletal-like ancient coral patterns, most often appearing in flower shapes.
These, Fossil Coral specimens are found in either Indonesia or the United States (Florida and Georgia). But, Indonesian fossilized coral is considered to be the most desirable and unique. Actually, in Indonesia, entire coral heads are often found perfectly preserved, appearing exactly as they did 20 million years ago, though density may vary according to the exact chemical replacement of silica, manganese(Mn), iron(Fe) and other various types of minerals. Fossil coral is created through the process of replacement, whereby calcium carbonate (coral) is replaced by silica. This unique process of preservation can result in different mineral concentrations from specimen to specimen. Silica can range from light amorphous opaline to dense forms of chalcedony. Thus, FOSSIL CORAL specimens may have slightly varying densities depending on the exact mineral concentration. Fossil coral can be mistaken for other types of agate such as moss or dendritic agate, but the pattern and body color of fossil coral is quite distinct. Fossil coral is also much harder than precious coral. Most agatized fossil coral exhibits a dull to waxy luster and interesting skeletal-like ancient coral patterns, most often appearing in flower shapes.
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