Tibetan coral bead necklace in Turquoise and yellow colours.

Drop length: Approximately 35cm.

Most of the corals in Tibet come from the Mediterranean Sea, the corals of which come from regions such as India and Kashmir. Tibet produces some of its turquoise; however, such turquoise is relatively greener in color and features brown patterns.

Conversing in Coral and Turquoise

Coral and turquoise are products of nature that have long been appreciated by Mongolian and Tibetan peoples, who used these precious materials as inlay on gold and silver wares or to complement pearls and amber for colorful and magnificent forms of personal ornamentation. For important ceremonial occasions, such jewelry was adorned in layers, creating a unique aesthetic trait in the culture of these nomadic peoples. Their coral was sourced from the Mediterranean Sea and the turquoise mined in Iran. Of significant value, these materials came to signify the status and economic clout of the person wearing them. Rare and semi-precious gems of coral, crystal, and clamshell not only were concrete symbols of Buddhism most excellent, the native Tibetan religion of Bon, with its reverence for nature, came to imbue them with protective powers as well. Thus, personal ornaments decorated with these gems served as symbols of auspiciousness, good fortune, and social status, becoming a unique image of beauty of the Mongolian and Tibetan peoples.