A collector/Designer set of three huge vintage (or possibly antique) coral beads The large one (18x23mm) and one of the smaller ones (19x15mm) shows signs of having been wrapped in wire in around its equator at some time, possibly to prevent, or repair, a crack as is often done in Africa with valuable amber beads.
The set weighs nearly 30 grams. Only one available
Sadly I don't remember if I found these in Africa (1970s), in which case they would be Berber from Morocco, or India/Nepal (1980s) in which case they would are Tibetan, or even Indonesia (1992. See GMA-259 which has some beads nearly as large with other great stuff!). All of these came from my Dictionary of Beads stash hidden in the back of my attic for 30 years.
Valued worldwide by humans for over 10,000 years, coral was treasured by ancient Egyptians, other Africans, Indians, Greeks, and Romans as well as Celtic tribes of northern Europe, Indians, Tibetans and Native Americans.
Mediterranean red-orange coral is most famous.
Protect Coral from abrasion, heat, perspiration and cosmetics which can fade the color. Clean with soap and water only, no steam cleaning.
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