Coral Pendant in Sterling Silver
Sponge coral pendant featuring a highly polished stone crafted in fine sterling silver.
Melithaea ochracea as it's correctly known is a coral not a sponge. It may be freely traded because it's not endangered.
It comes primarily from the South China Sea and is lightweight and relatively soft.
Rarely used in jewellery, sponge coral is stabilised because its natural tree-like structure has tiny holes created by polyps. When rocks and minerals are stabilised they're filled with a resin or other substance which prevents erosion. This process can be used to strengthen or repair natural minerals.
Although as a gemstone it's mostly known as sponge coral, melithaea ochracea is more commonly known as knotted fan coral when in the ocean. It grows much faster than traditional corals.