| Original Message: Fossil Coral - The Myth Becomes the Reality |
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I'm posting a series of messages and images to illustrate a position I have discussed a number of times, but one that has recently reached critical mass, and will become a concern for bead collectors (if it isn't already). MANY times in the past twenty-five or thirty years, in discussion of Tibetan/Himalayan beads, when the subject of coral is considered, the assertion has been made that "Tibetan coral is fossil coral," or in general it may be referred to as "the fossil coral of Tibet"—as though this were a truism. While is is a well-known fact that the Himalayas were once below the water level of millions of years ago, and that fossils from that time can still be acquired; and while it is admitted that people everywhere are intrigued by fossils and collect them—no doubt including Tibetans—AND that in antiquity some gorgeous beads were made from fossil coral..., be all this as it may, the typical coral beads of Tibet are imported from elsewhere and are not fossils. This living coral (though no longer alive), that comes to Tibet from the Mediterranean and South China Seas, and is red, orange, or pink, is well known from those industries, and for having been exported all around the world. Fossil coral is very seldom red, nor does it retain much indication of its original color(s), with some exceptions. Consequently, in the recent past it has been fairly easy to assert that Tibetan coral is not a fossil material of local origin (just as most significant Tibetan beads were imported from elsewhere)—because these beads are quite colorful. Before we go on, let's look at a couple of beautiful ancient fossil coral beads. By this, I mean that the beads were made in antiquity, from material that is millions of years old. Jamey All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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