Thank you for showing, Fred!

David did a nice job. I can't figure out how he was able to finish it so nicely without ends showing at all...

I used to use a product called Rub 'n Buff in black to "antique" raw brass stampings and findings. The black would stay in the lower relief areas, while the high areas buffed off, giving a pleasing effect. I'm thinking it may work nicely for your piece, used very very sparingly, and perhaps building a few applications. I think it would look "right", too. It has a base of carnuba wax, so would likely scrub off it you felt it was applied too heavily. Remember, just little dabs. Then rub-rub-rub. A piece of an old cotton t-shirt would be good for the task. It might even mellow out the brightness of the silver a little, also.

It seems to be available at Michaels, Jo-Anns, Walmart, Amazon.......and probably art supply stores attentive to the crafty end of art......

If it were my bead, to replicate the natural wear of the metal due to long time rubbing, I would first make flat the outer surface of the silver wire with a file, finishing it afterwards with a honing stone,
Only then would I apply dirt* into it, in order to fill the empty space between coral and wire.

*Recipe of a paste made of Arabic gum and agarbatti ashes, or still better, the material tsa-tsa are made of**:
Wet the ashes with (rain) water till you have a thick paste, then add some gum.
It is easy to control such a putty, once in place and before it throughly dries up, with a damp cloth or a Kleenex.
I would test its texture and color before using it on the bead, though.

**I can send you some.

Old beads repaired with silver or copper wire.
Notice how the metal has been flattened by rubbing against the body.

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No, really--gum? Chewing gum? Something else?
Did you use this recipe on your coral piece? Or do you have a pic of something you've used it on?

Courtesy of Billy.