American Samoa Territorial Gemstone
Coral STATUS Unofficial DESCRIPTION Coral, like pearl, is of organic origin, a product of marine invertebrates, and composed of more than 90 percent calcium carbonate. The species of coral that is used as a gemstone is calledcorallium rubrum, commonly known as precious coral or red coral. However, corals are not always red, pink, or salmon in color; they grow in a wide range of colors from red to white, blue, and even black. A TERRITORY SYMBOL American Samoa’s geography includes five volcanic islands and two coral atolls. The territory has many species of coral, including over 250 species in over 2,550 acres of reefs in the National Park of American Samoa. The Rose Atoll Marine National Monument includes rare species of nesting petrels, shearwaters, and terns, which account for its native name meaning "Island of Seabirds." The waters surrounding the atoll are home to many rare species, including giant clams and reef sharks, as well as an unusual abundance of rose-colored coralline algae. The massive coral heads in the waters off Ta’u Island are being studied since they are among the very largest and oldest known. These corals, as well as all coral communities worldwide, are among the world’s most endangered ecosystems. American Samoa’s reefs are threatened by a variety of factors, including typhoons, pollution, diseases, and overfishing, since subsistence fishing near coral reefs is legal in the territory. However, the principal threat to the reefs is global warming. Global warming leads to fatally higher sea temperatures, coral bleaching, and death of the corals and other marine life. The National Park Service and the U.S. Geological Survey have put conservation strategies in place to help protect the corals. Coral, although not an official gemstone, is important to the culture, history, geology, and ecology of American Samoa. Name Origin The word coral may come from the Greek κορáλλιον (korallion), which denotes the hard, calcareous skeleton of the coral animals, or from an ancient Greek word pronounced kura-halos, meaning "mermaid," since the fine branches of the coral sometimes look like small figures. Alternatively, the word may be derived from the Hebrew לרוג (goral), which was a small stone historically used in the drawing of lots, since coral branches were once used in oracles in Palestine, Asia Minor, and around the Mediterranean. FORMATION AND OCCURRENCE Coral is created from a protein secreted from tiny, cylindrical, underwater polyps that have tentacles and stinging cells. Corals live in colonies up to 6 feet (1.8 m) high. They grow into branches up to a height of 16 inches (40 cm), which are harvested by divers. Coral colonies create a habitat for crustaceans, bivalves, and fish. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION Corals grow all over the world at all depths, but the finest quality specimens are usually found in warmer waters. In Hawaii, they grow at depths of about 100–300 feet (30–91 m), shallow enough to harvest using scuba equipment. Many harvesters, however, have died in pursuit of coral trees at the deep end of this range. Japan Taiwan Malaysian archipelago Red Sea Bay of Biscay Canary Islands Northeast Australia Midway Islands Hawaii Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Sardinia Tunisia Algeria Former Yugoslavian republics Turkey USES Historical Uses For centuries, coral has been harvested for a variety of uses, including idols, beads, cameos, medicine, and talismans.  Modern Uses Coral is often full of holes and cracks, but rare, high-quality coral is of an even color and lacks holes, cracks, blotches, and striations. Red coral, sometimes called fire coral, is the rarest and most valuable. The intense pink or red color of this species make it prized as a gem. To be used in jewelry, coral branches are cleaned, sorted, cut or filed, and polished from their natural matte finish to a high luster. It can take a few years for coral to grow large enough to be used in jewelry. Legend/Healing The Romans believed coral had the power to protect children and heal wounds. In many cultures, coral is still worn to protect the wearer from evil spirits. The mineral is said to relieve tension, decrease fear, and improve one’s social life. Hawaiians traditionally ground black coral into a powder for medicinal purposes. SUBSTITUTES/SYNTHETICS Artificial coral is made of glass, plastic, and porcelain.	Coral Reef Brain Coral Pillar Coral Spawning Coral Colorful Coral Reef CORAL FACTS Group: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Crystal Structure: trigonal Hardness (Mohs): 3-4 Color: Multiple colors, commonly white, pinkish orange, red and black Transparency: None Pleochroism: None Refractive Index: 1.486-1.658 Density: 2.6-2.7 Cleavage: None
	Some data courtesy of the Mineralogical Society of America