Coral has consistently been at the top of the list in fashion and due to its adaptation with various styles and designs and colour options ranging from pink, orange, red, white, black, etc. it is an extremely desirable form of jewellery in India. “Initially Coral was very popular because it could be carved into fanciful motifs and could easily be set in precious metals which were a new concept. Also, people are opting for corals since they are organic and are made from natural resources and don’t create pollution or harm to human beings the way metals sometime do,” says Sonal Sahrawat, Creative Head, Sonal's Bijoux Studio. Corals are quite soft, but are usually polished into beads, rather than facetted, and therefore do not show scratches so easily. All these gemstones have been successfully used in jewellery for many centuries. “Coral and Turquoise which are consistently at the top of the list for the most popular gemstones and they are always in fashion. Coral is commonly enhanced to improve its colour and durability. Coral Jewellery does not need high maintenance. The gem is fragile and more brittle than other gems”, says Shrenik Mehta, Partner, Kinerhs Collection.%% Coral jewellery is traditional yet fashionable at its look and appeal. Coral jewellery has a timeless appeal. “The premier coral in the market is still ‘oxblood’ red coral which is from the species Corallium. Most of it is harvested in the deep waters of the Mediterranean, and then polished and cut in Italy or Japan. Pink or Angel Skin coral is always popular and commands a high price too”, informsShehzadZaveri, Creative Director, Minawala Jewelers.Coral is not something, which is new in India. It is popular among youth and the older generation as well. The choices of colours and designs though differ. The colours come out so bright and beautifully that people have started opting for it more nowadays. “The options where one can blend it to different beautiful shapes and designs, the varieties of colour it is available in, etc. makes it a desirable in jewellery,” says Monica Kapur of Aum by Monica Kapur. %% Talking about the beliefs attached to the corals, Annu Chadha, Jewellery Designer - 'Jewels by Annu Chadha' shares, “Everyone adores the ‘coral colour’, and the coral jewellery is just as fabulous. Coral / organic jewellery is and has always been very popular and fashionable (especially in the Mediterranean countries and China). It's also used as the birthstone of March and as the 35th anniversary of the wedding souvenir.Its properties to relieve stress and bring good luck add to its desirability. It induces creativity and optimism. It is also used for healing. Adding to this, coral is a beautiful gemstone available in different colours ranging from white, pink, orange, red to even gold and black which when matched or contrasted with any attire makes it totally bespoke.” “I think coral jewellery is very pretty and it reflects well on any complexion. It is also is known for its sacred/protective properties if one believes in that. Its vibrant colour is very eye-catching and appealing which makes it desirable in jewellery”, says Alpana Gujral, renowned jewellery designer. %%

Coral with its various shades and hues looks appealing with any metal, be it gold or silver that gives it a classy look, it also looks splendid with turquoise and pearls giving it a more chic and casual look, says Annu Chadha. Coral and gold create a strikingly gorgeous colour combination, says Alpana Gujaral, to this, Shrenik Mehta adds, “Black coral is sometimes bleached to create gold coral, although gold can be a natural colour of coral as well.” On this Sonal Sahrawat says, “We have in the past worked with unconventional mediums such as Sting Ray Leather, where we created a collection of contemporary bracelets. But that was more out of a need for expressing our creativity than a serious commercial experiment. Our sole medium of expression is gold, in which 18-carat is our preferred quality.” %% The generation today is definitely into coral/organic jewellery for the various reasons discussed above. “But it is not confined to only the youth. Corals do not offer the same enormous intrinsic value as the other precious stones and metals but their allure is in their price and their design potential hence they are the best option and affordable,” says Sonal Sahrawat. To this, Monica Kapur adds, “It caters to one and all— an elderly person would like to go for sober colour, while a young person would like to experiment with most colours in which corals are available.”Alpana Gujaral adds, “All age groups are embracing coral. It's a gemstone that has been treasured since ancient times and remains in trend.” “It is more popular in today’s time because it has a very vintage feel which seems to be in trend now days,” says Shehzad Zaveri. In India, the trend definitely started with the youth but just as soon came to the liking of women of every age, especially since its known quality is to relieve stress. “Ladies often add coral accessories (big necklaces, bracelets and rings) with their kurtis and tunics or even summer dresses which give a very cool and composed look,” says Annu Chadha. %% It's a very summery look that wears well in warmer months. It adds a pop of color that is refreshing, explains AlpanaGujaral. The thing with corals is that since they are a natural kind and their shapes aren’t changed a lot and jewellery is made out of their natural form. “But the most preferred form of jewellery would be neckpieces and bracelets,” says Sonal Sahrawat. Carved roses (used in bracelets or necklaces along with pearls or embedded with gold), drop pendant and earrings, beaded necklaces along with Turquoise are the latest trends, according to AnnuChadha. Starting from floral to intrigue to plain designs the stone looks beautiful as blended in any design, says Monica Kapur. White is the most common colour in Coral, but a variety of other shades can be found, including pink, orange, red, and black. The most rare colour is a deep red, shares Shrenik Mehta. %% Throwing some light on the price factor, Annu Chadha says, “Coral is available at affordable prices almost everywhere, the larger the stones and the more even the colour distribution, the higher the price will be. But be sure you are purchasing it from a well established jewellery house to avoid look-a-likes.” Coral are not very expensive stones. They are used with astrological purpose as well, shares Monica Kapur. But Shehzad Zaveri has a different side to show, “The prices have tripled in the last two years. Think of buying coral like an investment, the price of coral jewellery will go up, because the supply is very limited.” %%

The potential of corals has been largely untouched in the Indian market. Due to this, their use has been confined to rings for astrological purposes and cheap, low-quality jewellery. It is in this tragedy that we see great opportunity. “The variety of colours and shapes available in coral allow it to integrate very well with various styles of jewellery. From contemporary and traditional to light weight casual wear and heavy formal wear, a coral can integrate seamlessly and add a touch of class to any jewellery. %% “We at Sonal's Bijoux want to present corals in a variety of settings. We want coral to permeate the Indian psyche and create a unique place for itself just like more established and well accepted gemstones like rubies and emeralds,” explains SonalSahrawat while talking about the future of coral jewellery in India. “I can see a good future of coral in India. People have starting experimenting with varied styles and materials so coral is in demand,” says Monica Kapur.So many jewellery designers these days love to apply the coral beads to create both ethnic and casual jewellery pieces. Stressing on this aspect, Annu Chadha says,“Coral is not only used as jewellery but as ornaments in the house. Besides designing the jewellery pieces, coral/organic jewellery are also perfect for other fashion accessories such as amulet, luck-stone, handbag or mobile phone dangling and so on. So there is no doubt that coral/organic jewellery fascinates not only the designers but jewellery lovers of any age.” “I think it continues to be a popular look that is embraced by fashionistas everywhere,” says Alpana Gujaral. %% Coral mining includes blasting of massive areas of coral reef with dynamite or large-scale removal of coral manually in patches throughout a reef. Doing so undermines the important long-term benefits provided by reefs, such as shoreline protection, fisheries and ecotourism. “Since we are an ethical and environmental conscious company, we do not encourage coral jewellery,” says Shehzad Zaveri highlighting the dark side of the future for coral jewellery. %%

Coral has consistently been at the top of the list in fashion and due to its adaptation with various styles and designs and colour options ranging from pink, orange, red, white, black, etc. it is an extremely desirable form of jewellery in India. “Initially Coral was very popular because it could be carved into fanciful motifs and could easily be set in precious metals which were a new concept. Also, people are opting for corals since they are organic and are made from natural resources and don’t create pollution or harm to human beings the way metals sometime do,” says Sonal Sahrawat, Creative Head, Sonal's Bijoux Studio. Corals are quite soft, but are usually polished into beads, rather than facetted, and therefore do not show scratches so easily. All these gemstones have been successfully used in jewellery for many centuries. “Coral and Turquoise which are consistently at the top of the list for the most popular gemstones and they are always in fashion. Coral is commonly enhanced to improve its colour and durability. Coral Jewellery does not need high maintenance. The gem is fragile and more brittle than other gems”, says Shrenik Mehta, Partner, Kinerhs Collection.%% Coral jewellery is traditional yet fashionable at its look and appeal. Coral jewellery has a timeless appeal. “The premier coral in the market is still ‘oxblood’ red coral which is from the species Corallium. Most of it is harvested in the deep waters of the Mediterranean, and then polished and cut in Italy or Japan. Pink or Angel Skin coral is always popular and commands a high price too”, informsShehzadZaveri, Creative Director, Minawala Jewelers.Coral is not something, which is new in India. It is popular among youth and the older generation as well. The choices of colours and designs though differ. The colours come out so bright and beautifully that people have started opting for it more nowadays. “The options where one can blend it to different beautiful shapes and designs, the varieties of colour it is available in, etc. makes it a desirable in jewellery,” says Monica Kapur of Aum by Monica Kapur. %% Talking about the beliefs attached to the corals, Annu Chadha, Jewellery Designer - 'Jewels by Annu Chadha' shares, “Everyone adores the ‘coral colour’, and the coral jewellery is just as fabulous. Coral / organic jewellery is and has always been very popular and fashionable (especially in the Mediterranean countries and China). It's also used as the birthstone of March and as the 35th anniversary of the wedding souvenir.Its properties to relieve stress and bring good luck add to its desirability. It induces creativity and optimism. It is also used for healing. Adding to this, coral is a beautiful gemstone available in different colours ranging from white, pink, orange, red to even gold and black which when matched or contrasted with any attire makes it totally bespoke.” “I think coral jewellery is very pretty and it reflects well on any complexion. It is also is known for its sacred/protective properties if one believes in that. Its vibrant colour is very eye-catching and appealing which makes it desirable in jewellery”, says Alpana Gujral, renowned jewellery designer. %%

Coral with its various shades and hues looks appealing with any metal, be it gold or silver that gives it a classy look, it also looks splendid with turquoise and pearls giving it a more chic and casual look, says Annu Chadha. Coral and gold create a strikingly gorgeous colour combination, says Alpana Gujaral, to this, Shrenik Mehta adds, “Black coral is sometimes bleached to create gold coral, although gold can be a natural colour of coral as well.” On this Sonal Sahrawat says, “We have in the past worked with unconventional mediums such as Sting Ray Leather, where we created a collection of contemporary bracelets. But that was more out of a need for expressing our creativity than a serious commercial experiment. Our sole medium of expression is gold, in which 18-carat is our preferred quality.” %% The generation today is definitely into coral/organic jewellery for the various reasons discussed above. “But it is not confined to only the youth. Corals do not offer the same enormous intrinsic value as the other precious stones and metals but their allure is in their price and their design potential hence they are the best option and affordable,” says Sonal Sahrawat. To this, Monica Kapur adds, “It caters to one and all— an elderly person would like to go for sober colour, while a young person would like to experiment with most colours in which corals are available.”Alpana Gujaral adds, “All age groups are embracing coral. It's a gemstone that has been treasured since ancient times and remains in trend.” “It is more popular in today’s time because it has a very vintage feel which seems to be in trend now days,” says Shehzad Zaveri. In India, the trend definitely started with the youth but just as soon came to the liking of women of every age, especially since its known quality is to relieve stress. “Ladies often add coral accessories (big necklaces, bracelets and rings) with their kurtis and tunics or even summer dresses which give a very cool and composed look,” says Annu Chadha. %% It's a very summery look that wears well in warmer months. It adds a pop of color that is refreshing, explains AlpanaGujaral. The thing with corals is that since they are a natural kind and their shapes aren’t changed a lot and jewellery is made out of their natural form. “But the most preferred form of jewellery would be neckpieces and bracelets,” says Sonal Sahrawat. Carved roses (used in bracelets or necklaces along with pearls or embedded with gold), drop pendant and earrings, beaded necklaces along with Turquoise are the latest trends, according to AnnuChadha. Starting from floral to intrigue to plain designs the stone looks beautiful as blended in any design, says Monica Kapur. White is the most common colour in Coral, but a variety of other shades can be found, including pink, orange, red, and black. The most rare colour is a deep red, shares Shrenik Mehta. %% Throwing some light on the price factor, Annu Chadha says, “Coral is available at affordable prices almost everywhere, the larger the stones and the more even the colour distribution, the higher the price will be. But be sure you are purchasing it from a well established jewellery house to avoid look-a-likes.” Coral are not very expensive stones. They are used with astrological purpose as well, shares Monica Kapur. But Shehzad Zaveri has a different side to show, “The prices have tripled in the last two years. Think of buying coral like an investment, the price of coral jewellery will go up, because the supply is very limited.” %%

The potential of corals has been largely untouched in the Indian market. Due to this, their use has been confined to rings for astrological purposes and cheap, low-quality jewellery. It is in this tragedy that we see great opportunity. “The variety of colours and shapes available in coral allow it to integrate very well with various styles of jewellery. From contemporary and traditional to light weight casual wear and heavy formal wear, a coral can integrate seamlessly and add a touch of class to any jewellery. %% “We at Sonal's Bijoux want to present corals in a variety of settings. We want coral to permeate the Indian psyche and create a unique place for itself just like more established and well accepted gemstones like rubies and emeralds,” explains SonalSahrawat while talking about the future of coral jewellery in India. “I can see a good future of coral in India. People have starting experimenting with varied styles and materials so coral is in demand,” says Monica Kapur.So many jewellery designers these days love to apply the coral beads to create both ethnic and casual jewellery pieces. Stressing on this aspect, Annu Chadha says,“Coral is not only used as jewellery but as ornaments in the house. Besides designing the jewellery pieces, coral/organic jewellery are also perfect for other fashion accessories such as amulet, luck-stone, handbag or mobile phone dangling and so on. So there is no doubt that coral/organic jewellery fascinates not only the designers but jewellery lovers of any age.” “I think it continues to be a popular look that is embraced by fashionistas everywhere,” says Alpana Gujaral. %% Coral mining includes blasting of massive areas of coral reef with dynamite or large-scale removal of coral manually in patches throughout a reef. Doing so undermines the important long-term benefits provided by reefs, such as shoreline protection, fisheries and ecotourism. “Since we are an ethical and environmental conscious company, we do not encourage coral jewellery,” says Shehzad Zaveri highlighting the dark side of the future for coral jewellery. %%

Coral has consistently been at the top of the list in fashion and due to its adaptation with various styles and designs and colour options ranging from pink, orange, red, white, black, etc. it is an extremely desirable form of jewellery in India. “Initially Coral was very popular because it could be carved into fanciful motifs and could easily be set in precious metals which were a new concept. Also, people are opting for corals since they are organic and are made from natural resources and don’t create pollution or harm to human beings the way metals sometime do,” says Sonal Sahrawat, Creative Head, Sonal's Bijoux Studio. Corals are quite soft, but are usually polished into beads, rather than facetted, and therefore do not show scratches so easily. All these gemstones have been successfully used in jewellery for many centuries. “Coral and Turquoise which are consistently at the top of the list for the most popular gemstones and they are always in fashion. Coral is commonly enhanced to improve its colour and durability. Coral Jewellery does not need high maintenance. The gem is fragile and more brittle than other gems”, says Shrenik Mehta, Partner, Kinerhs Collection.%% Coral jewellery is traditional yet fashionable at its look and appeal. Coral jewellery has a timeless appeal. “The premier coral in the market is still ‘oxblood’ red coral which is from the species Corallium. Most of it is harvested in the deep waters of the Mediterranean, and then polished and cut in Italy or Japan. Pink or Angel Skin coral is always popular and commands a high price too”, informsShehzadZaveri, Creative Director, Minawala Jewelers.Coral is not something, which is new in India. It is popular among youth and the older generation as well. The choices of colours and designs though differ. The colours come out so bright and beautifully that people have started opting for it more nowadays. “The options where one can blend it to different beautiful shapes and designs, the varieties of colour it is available in, etc. makes it a desirable in jewellery,” says Monica Kapur of Aum by Monica Kapur. %% Talking about the beliefs attached to the corals, Annu Chadha, Jewellery Designer - 'Jewels by Annu Chadha' shares, “Everyone adores the ‘coral colour’, and the coral jewellery is just as fabulous. Coral / organic jewellery is and has always been very popular and fashionable (especially in the Mediterranean countries and China). It's also used as the birthstone of March and as the 35th anniversary of the wedding souvenir.Its properties to relieve stress and bring good luck add to its desirability. It induces creativity and optimism. It is also used for healing. Adding to this, coral is a beautiful gemstone available in different colours ranging from white, pink, orange, red to even gold and black which when matched or contrasted with any attire makes it totally bespoke.” “I think coral jewellery is very pretty and it reflects well on any complexion. It is also is known for its sacred/protective properties if one believes in that. Its vibrant colour is very eye-catching and appealing which makes it desirable in jewellery”, says Alpana Gujral, renowned jewellery designer. %%

Coral with its various shades and hues looks appealing with any metal, be it gold or silver that gives it a classy look, it also looks splendid with turquoise and pearls giving it a more chic and casual look, says Annu Chadha. Coral and gold create a strikingly gorgeous colour combination, says Alpana Gujaral, to this, Shrenik Mehta adds, “Black coral is sometimes bleached to create gold coral, although gold can be a natural colour of coral as well.” On this Sonal Sahrawat says, “We have in the past worked with unconventional mediums such as Sting Ray Leather, where we created a collection of contemporary bracelets. But that was more out of a need for expressing our creativity than a serious commercial experiment. Our sole medium of expression is gold, in which 18-carat is our preferred quality.” %% The generation today is definitely into coral/organic jewellery for the various reasons discussed above. “But it is not confined to only the youth. Corals do not offer the same enormous intrinsic value as the other precious stones and metals but their allure is in their price and their design potential hence they are the best option and affordable,” says Sonal Sahrawat. To this, Monica Kapur adds, “It caters to one and all— an elderly person would like to go for sober colour, while a young person would like to experiment with most colours in which corals are available.”Alpana Gujaral adds, “All age groups are embracing coral. It's a gemstone that has been treasured since ancient times and remains in trend.” “It is more popular in today’s time because it has a very vintage feel which seems to be in trend now days,” says Shehzad Zaveri. In India, the trend definitely started with the youth but just as soon came to the liking of women of every age, especially since its known quality is to relieve stress. “Ladies often add coral accessories (big necklaces, bracelets and rings) with their kurtis and tunics or even summer dresses which give a very cool and composed look,” says Annu Chadha. %% It's a very summery look that wears well in warmer months. It adds a pop of color that is refreshing, explains AlpanaGujaral. The thing with corals is that since they are a natural kind and their shapes aren’t changed a lot and jewellery is made out of their natural form. “But the most preferred form of jewellery would be neckpieces and bracelets,” says Sonal Sahrawat. Carved roses (used in bracelets or necklaces along with pearls or embedded with gold), drop pendant and earrings, beaded necklaces along with Turquoise are the latest trends, according to AnnuChadha. Starting from floral to intrigue to plain designs the stone looks beautiful as blended in any design, says Monica Kapur. White is the most common colour in Coral, but a variety of other shades can be found, including pink, orange, red, and black. The most rare colour is a deep red, shares Shrenik Mehta. %% Throwing some light on the price factor, Annu Chadha says, “Coral is available at affordable prices almost everywhere, the larger the stones and the more even the colour distribution, the higher the price will be. But be sure you are purchasing it from a well established jewellery house to avoid look-a-likes.” Coral are not very expensive stones. They are used with astrological purpose as well, shares Monica Kapur. But Shehzad Zaveri has a different side to show, “The prices have tripled in the last two years. Think of buying coral like an investment, the price of coral jewellery will go up, because the supply is very limited.” %%

The potential of corals has been largely untouched in the Indian market. Due to this, their use has been confined to rings for astrological purposes and cheap, low-quality jewellery. It is in this tragedy that we see great opportunity. “The variety of colours and shapes available in coral allow it to integrate very well with various styles of jewellery. From contemporary and traditional to light weight casual wear and heavy formal wear, a coral can integrate seamlessly and add a touch of class to any jewellery. %% “We at Sonal's Bijoux want to present corals in a variety of settings. We want coral to permeate the Indian psyche and create a unique place for itself just like more established and well accepted gemstones like rubies and emeralds,” explains SonalSahrawat while talking about the future of coral jewellery in India. “I can see a good future of coral in India. People have starting experimenting with varied styles and materials so coral is in demand,” says Monica Kapur.So many jewellery designers these days love to apply the coral beads to create both ethnic and casual jewellery pieces. Stressing on this aspect, Annu Chadha says,“Coral is not only used as jewellery but as ornaments in the house. Besides designing the jewellery pieces, coral/organic jewellery are also perfect for other fashion accessories such as amulet, luck-stone, handbag or mobile phone dangling and so on. So there is no doubt that coral/organic jewellery fascinates not only the designers but jewellery lovers of any age.” “I think it continues to be a popular look that is embraced by fashionistas everywhere,” says Alpana Gujaral. %% Coral mining includes blasting of massive areas of coral reef with dynamite or large-scale removal of coral manually in patches throughout a reef. Doing so undermines the important long-term benefits provided by reefs, such as shoreline protection, fisheries and ecotourism. “Since we are an ethical and environmental conscious company, we do not encourage coral jewellery,” says Shehzad Zaveri highlighting the dark side of the future for coral jewellery. %%