Featured red coral turning white...need help

Some of the white bits may be fragments of the shells of other creatures that latched on, like tube worms. Agree, let it be. I don't think a collector would consider it marred as it is, but it might only start to look worse if you mess with it.

If storing away in a container/enclosed space, you will want to minimize the chance of the development of Byne's Disease. Info on storing seashells is applicable to coral too.

 

@Any Jewelry may i ask when you say fragile. Would you say something compared to thin glass? Which would crack if dinged. or something like delicate lace which can tear even while not using it regularly.

I only ask as to know how it should be handled and by whom (my kids love touching stuff....)

finally is Organ pipe coral - Valuable/ not sought after ?

 

This is very helpful.

I will store it in acid free paper. Many thanks for the link. your website is very informative.

 

I have a good sized chunk I found among my mothers things. While I don't think it falls apart spontaneously, it doesn't take much of a knock for bits to separate. You wouldn't want to drop it. Crumbly might be the word for it.

This is what I found on its conservation status:

This unusual bright red skeleton has made Tubipora sought after as both live specimens for the aquarium trade as well as being harvested for its skeleton to be used as curios and in the manufacture of jewelry. As a result of extensive harvesting as well as the threats of climate change, habitat loss and the degradation of reefs, this species is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List and is listed under Appendix II of CITES.

Corals worldwide are stressed & diminishing. Large vintage specimens in good condition will be increasingly rare. Checking current eBay listings, asking prices range from $1,350 down to $3.99 for a small piece. This is being sold as 'crushed', for crafts. Guessing it's just bits that fell off larger pieces:

 

a late post on this. If i were to display the coral in a glass bell jar with a wooden base. something like this

How would i secure the coral to the wooden base. I assume a double sided tape would have adhesive which would harm the coral (at least in long run)?

I cannot screw it in. to delicate and dangerous. And to leave it alone in the bell jar is asking for trouble it will definitely fall over and damage the glass or itself.

Any non harmful adhesive.

 

This kind of sticky wax is used to hold miniatures in place and is supposed to not damage items and might work for your coral. There are other brands available, too.

https://oakridgestores.com/supplies...MI7qGjxYu85wIVd4FaBR3ssAYwEAQYBSABEgKWa_D_BwE

 

Museum putty? I don't have much experience with it. Might stain where it touches over time? Could it sit in some style of acrylic display stand?

 

Thanks Pat. Extremely helpful.

 

You're welcome. I hope it works!

 

Your suggestion is that i affix the stand to the base.
But i dont think it would not be able to sit in a stand. or i would get a stand like that.

I also take on board the comment of discoloration over period of time. Went through the details of museum putty. Doesn't really mention
anything

 

Thinking about this more... I don't know the dimensions of your coral, but I'm wondering if it would be good for it to sit on a cushioned base, maybe in a box with a clear glass or plexiglass top? A thick layer of cotton batting under a layer of fabric could make a good cushion.

 

No, I was considering them as 2 different possibilities, ways of stabilizing the piece. Without some idea of the size & shape of your coral, we can only guess at ideas.

 

i agree,. let me get it in hand and then ask for suggestions.

 

I would NOT use the museum wax. Or any adhesive. All will have some sort of chemical.
You are better off setting it on a shelf in a glass cabinet. No cotton as the fibers will catch on the coral.

Wait for @Any Jewelry to come back and comment.

 

I agree. No chemicals, so no adhesives either. And coral needs to breathe, another consideration. A shelf in a glass cabinet is an excellent idea, on display and out of harm's way.

 

I dont have a glass cabinet. Hence i was going to put it under a glass dome with a wooden base. so it doesnt get dusty.
Would the glass dome let it breathe?

 

Probably. For a while. Take the dome off every so often and let it breathe.

 

I'm not sure this is a great risk, but I would have a little concern about putting coral directly on wood in a contained space. Coral is another calcium carbonate based material:

https://cameotimes.com/index.php/reference/byne-s-disease

 

Wow thanks @Bronwen. So much to learn.

 

Can i get an update on how you fixed it in the end? I have the same coral and I picked it up on a beach. At first it was beautiful but as I let it rest for a while it started to change color to white. I thought that was natural somehow. I wanted to create something with it but it was so fragile so I'm scared.