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You are here: Home > dZi & other Ancient, Antique & Rare Beads > Coral



Natural red coral has been a sought after material in Tibet for many centuries. Tibetans have come to regard red coral as being more precious than gold (the most prized beads are selling for as much as $200 per gram in Tibet). Salmon orange to deep red beads are always the most valuable. Round beads are also more sought after than other shapes. Coral is primarily used for personal adornment, however, it is also prized in Tibetan medicine as an antidote to poison. In the Tibetan culture, red coral is seen as an efficacious amulet for warding off negativity. It is often heirloomed from mother to daughter or given as part of a dowry. Sometimes an entire families wealth may be invested in coral and other precious beads such as amber or dZi. Coral cabachons are also used to decorate statues, stupas and ritual items. It is particularly favoured as a material for malas because it is believed to magnify or enhance the activity of the Dharma practitioner. It would be hard to find a material that holds quite the same allure.

The majority of antique 'Tibetan' red coral actually originated from the Mediterranean Sea. It travelled along the silk trade route via Iran, Samarkand, Ladakh and then finally ended up in the markets of Lhasa. It was also traded to India by a direct sea route from the end of the 15th Century. This made it much easier for Tibetan traders to get a more regular supply. Mediterranean coral is now protected from harvesting, so it is difficult to find undyed beads. The marketplace offers many fake coral beads and dyed alternatives, however, they can never be a substitute for the real thing!

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Antique Turquoise & Coral Bead Necklace
Antique Turquoise & Coral Bead Necklace
Our Price: £650.00

This is a stunning piece lovingly strung with antique turquoise, antique natural red coral and old bronze spacer beads. A one of a kind necklace packed with gorgoues beads for the real bead connoisseur.

Beautifully strung on strong and secure cord and ready to wear.
Sourced in the Himalayas, Nepal
18.5 inches length
Condition: Excellent
Imitation Coral Bead
Imitation Coral Bead
Our Price: £0.45

A large plastic imitation coral bead. If you require more than one bead please add more to your cart.

approx 22 mm
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Excellent
Antique Coral Mala
Antique Coral Mala with Turquoise Dividers and Old Silver Counters

SOLD!

An incredible antique authentic coral mala with beads that span possibly hundreds of years. The mala is comprised of natural red coral and they vary slightly in size and shape. This is due to them being worn down from countless recitations of mantras and also some of the coral beads have been replaced along the way. It has beautiful round turquoise dividers and old silver bell and dorje counters that are strung on leather. The guru bead is made up of a huge vibrant red antique coral bead (24 mm). This bead does have a surface fissure that runs round the bead, so this might have been repaired at some point. The top of the guru bead is an antque ivory bead with fine patina.

Recently re-strung on strong braided nylon mala cord.

Origin: Tibet
108 Antique Coral Beads plus the three turquoise dividers
and guru bead with coral beaded tassle.
The coral beads average about 8 mm in diameter (some are as much as 10 mm)
Round Turquoise = 13 mm
Antique Coral Guru Bead = 24 mm
Antique Coral Bead
Huge Antique Coral Bead with Pitting

SOLD!

This is a huge natural undyed coral bead with vibrant red colour. There is very strong natural pitting on one side of the bead. The ends show signs of rubbing against other beads for many years. A rare size bead with lots of character! This would make a great focal bead on a necklace.

32 grams
diameter 33.41 mm
depth 22.36 mm
Prized in Tibet and the Himalayan regions
Condition: A good bead with no cracks or repairs but with strong pitting.
Rare Turquoise, Coral & Conch Necklace
Rare Turquoise, Coral & Conch Necklace

SOLD!

A beautifully strung large necklace with authentic turquoise, natural antique red coral and conch shell beads. Each bead is flanked by tiny bronze spacer beads.

Condition: Excellent

37 antique turquoise beads (12 mm to 17 mm)
25 antique red coral beads (completely natural and undyed) (5 mm to 8 mm diameter)
12 oval indian chank shell beads (12 mm)
1 ancient jasper disc bead.

Beads sourced in Nepal
approx 40 inches length
Antique Amulet Necklace
Rare Quality Bead Necklace with Coral, Amber, Banded Agates & Silver Amulet

SOLD!

A fine necklace with ancient banded agates, antique coral, antique amber and a huge old silver amulet likely to be from Afghanistan or India. An instant collection of very collectible beads lovingly strung and ready to be worn. One of the most visually striking necklaces we have ever offered.

length of strand approx 20 inches

Coral and amber approx 100 to 300 years
Ancient Banded Agates 400 BCE to 600 CE
Sourced in Nepal
Himalayan Bead Necklace
Himalayan Bead Necklace with Antique Coral & Turquoise

SOLD!

A really beautiful necklace comprised of wonderful Himalayan prized beads. Tibetans have valued turquoise and coral for many centuries, and they are still an important part of Tibetan culture. Each bead is flanked by old bronze spacers. This is a great selection of beads that are quickly vanishing from the marketplace.

length of necklace approx 20 inches
Antique Turquoise, Antique Coral & Conch (Chank) Shell with bronze spacers.
Age of coral and turquoise beads: 100 to 300 years old.
Sourced in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal from Tibetan traders.
Group of Red Coral Beads - 26 grams
Genuine Undyed Mediterranean Red Coral - 26 grams

SOLD!

A group of antique natural red coral beads. These undyed beads are a more freeform shape. Perfect for creating a unique necklace.

24 mm x 8 mm
47 beads
largest length 20 mm
smallest length 8 mm

Total weight 26 grams
Antique Coral Bead Collection
Antique Coral Bead Necklace

SOLD!

A small necklace of antique mediterranean coral beads. These are natural undyed beads with a more salmon colour.

length of necklaces = 15 inches
each bead measures 5 to 6.5 mm
A total of 53 beads.
Total Weight = 20 grams
Antique Coral Branch Bead
Antique Coral Branch Bead

SOLD!

A very nice large genuine red coral bead. This bead has been shaped from a natural branch and is a very sought after natural 'undyed' colour.

28 mm x 8 mm
3 grams
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Excellent
Antique Coral Branch Bead
Antique Coral Branch Bead

SOLD!

A very nice large genuine red coral bead. This bead has been shaped from a natural branch and is a very sought after natural 'undyed' colour.

24 mm x 8 mm
2 grams
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Excellent
Antique Coral Branch Bead
Antique Coral Branch Bead

SOLD!

A very nice large genuine red coral bead. This bead has been shaped from a natural branch and is a very sought after natural 'undyed' colour.

25 mm x 8 mm
2 grams
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Excellent
Antique Coral Branch Bead
Antique Coral Branch Bead

SOLD!

A very nice large genuine red coral bead. This bead has been shaped from a coral branch and is a very sought after completely natural 'undyed' colour.

23 mm x 8 mm
5 grams
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Excellent
Antique Coral Branch Bead
Antique Coral Branch Bead

SOLD!

A very nice large genuine red coral bead. This bead has been shaped from a natural branch and is a very sought after natural 'undyed' colour.

23 mm x 8 mm
2 grams
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Excellent
Crystal & Coral Mala Beads
A GRADE CRYSTAL AND ANTIQUE CORAL MALA

SOLD!

A beautiful crystal stone mala with antique natural coral dividers.

crystal beads approx 8 mm
rare matched coral dividers approx 12 mm
Antique Mala Beads
VERY RARE LARGE ANTIQUE CORAL MALA

SOLD!

This is a superb antique coral mala of rare quality and size. It includes 108 coral beads plus a rare genuine coral guru bead. It also has three antique turquoise dividers. The coral is completely natural and undyed, which is of course highly sought after in Tibet and the Himalayan regions. It is also the largest coral mala we have ever offered for sale. Guaranteed authentic!

coral bead size 9 to 11 mm
138 grams
total length (from first bead to last bead) approx 38 inches

Due to the hand made nature of each bead there may be slight variation in size and shape.
Antique Mala Beads
VERY RARE ANTIQUE CORAL MALA

SOLD!

A mala comprised of very sought after natural coral. Malas made from this quality of coral are extremely scarce and highly prized by Tibetans. The mala includes an antique ivory guru bead and three old turquoise dividers.

108 Beads of Undyed Natural Antique Coral
Three Old Turquoise Dividers
Antique Ivory Guru Bead
weight 114 grams
coral approx 7 to 9 mm

due to the hand made nature of each bead there will be slight variation in size and shape. Beads range from 7 mm to 9 mm and are therefore slightly graduated.
Rare Natural Coral Mala
VERY RARE NATURAL CORAL MALA

SOLD!

A rare mala comprised of very sought after natural red coral. The three dividers are made from Mother of Pearl and the Guru bead is a banded agate eye bead.  Malas made from this quality of coral are extremely scarce and highly prized by Tibetans. We only manage to aquire one or two complete malas every few years. This is not to be confused with the many dyed alternatives currently available in the marketplace. This is the real thing!

108 Round Beads ~ Undyed Natural Red Coral
weight of mala = 41 grams
Sourced in Nepal
minimum bead size approx 6 mm
Rare Natural Coral Mala
VERY RARE NATURAL CORAL MALA

SOLD!

A rare mala comprised of very sought after natural red coral. It is strung with a very nice agate eye guru bead. The three dividers are made from Mother of Pearl. After the 21st bead there is an additional genuine amber bead to act as a marker. Malas made from this quality of coral are extremely scarce and highly prized by Tibetans. We only manage to aquire one or two complete malas every few years. This is not to be confused with the many dyed alternatives currently available in the marketplace. This is the real thing!

108 Round Beads ~ Undyed Natural Red Coral
weight of mala = 41 grams
Sourced in Nepal
coral bead size = 6 mm
Matched Pair of Coral Beads
Matched Pair of Coral Beads

SOLD!

A beautiful matched pair of genuine coral beads. They would make perfect dividers on a mala. The vibrant red colour is completely natural and undyed.

diameter approx 13 mm
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Excellent
Genuine Natural Coral Bead
Genuine Natural Coral Bead

SOLD!

A very nice large undyed natural coral bead.

diameter 12 mm width 10 mm
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Very good
Antique Coral Bead
Antique Coral Bead

SOLD!

A large antique coral bead with natural pitting and superb patina. The pitting on the bead has been filled with a black resin and the thread wear at the perforations indicates great age.


14 mm x 14 mm
Sourced in Nepal
Age: 100 years plus
Condition: Very good with natural pitting. No breaks or repairs
Antique Coral Bead
Antique Coral Bead

SOLD!

A large antique coral bead with natural pitting.

diameter 17 mm width 11 mm
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Very good with natural pitting. No breaks or repairs
Rare Turquoise, Coral & Conch Necklace
Rare Turquoise, Coral & Conch Necklace

SOLD!

A large necklace comprising a great selection of authentic antique turquoise, natural red coral and conch shell beads. Each bead is flanked by tiny bronze spacer beads.

Condition: Excellent
37 antique turquoise beads (12 mm to 17 mm)
25 antique red coral beads (completely natural and undyed) (5 mm to 8 mm diameter)
12 oval indian chank shell beads (12 mm)
Beads sourced in Nepal
approx 40 inches length
Antique Coral, Turquoise & Amber Necklace
Rare Quality Bead Necklace with Antique Coral, Turquoise & Amber

SOLD!

A beautiful necklace with antique natural red coral, antique amber, antique jasper and old turquoise. The turquoise is also inlaid with coral and lapis and flanked with old brass spacers. A stunning piece with many hours of work involved in selecting the beads and threading.

length of strand approx 28 inches
Beads sourced in Nepal.
Age of beads 100 to 300 years
Genuine Red Coral Bead
Genuine Red Coral Bead

SOLD!

A very nice large undyed red coral bead.

diameter 15.53 mm width 10.71 mm
Origin: Tibet/Nepal
Condition: Very good with natural surface fissures.
Antique Coral Branch Bead
Antique Coral Branch Bead

SOLD!

A very nice large genuine red coral bead. This bead has been shaped from a natural branch and is a very sought after natural 'undyed' colour.

43 mm x 9 mm
4 grams
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Excellent
Rare Quality Turquoise with Antique Coral
Rare Quality Turquoise with Antique Coral

SOLD!

A gorgeous rare turquoise bead displaying the most sought after colour. It is flanked with a matched pair of antique coral.

turquoise approx 21 mm x 15 mm
coral approx 13 mm
Condition: Excellent
Origin: Sourced in Nepal.
Antique Coral Beads
Antique Coral & Turquoise Beads

SOLD!

Two beautiful antique beads.

coral = 10 mm
turquoise = 10.60
Sourced in Nepal
Condition: Excellent
Antique Coral Beads
Three Antique Coral Beads

SOLD!

Three beautiful large coral beads. Two of the beads have been repaired.

smallest 14.46 mm
largest 15.47 mm
Sourced in Nepal
Condition:
Antique Coral Bead Necklace
Antique Coral Bead Necklace

SOLD!

A glorious strand of prized antique red coral beads. Beads display natural pitting and inclusions and remain in wonderful condition. A very nice collection of good size beads (average 8 mm). They look fantastic worn on their own or strung with other collectible beads.

Sourced in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal
Age: 100 to 300 years
69.6 grams
smallest 5.80 mm
largest 10.12 mm
78 beads
Natural Coral & dZi Necklace
Antique Coral & dZi Bead Necklace

SOLD!

A gorgeous necklace comprised of genuine undyed natural coral. Also includes a pair of single stripe ancient dZi beads and the finest quality new Luk Mik dZi.

Antique Coral = 100 years plus
smallest bead approx 5.65 mm
largest approx 9.45 mm

2 x Single stripe black & white Chung dZi = 400 BCE to 600 CE
length 24.24 mm & 23.81 mm

Fine quality new Luk Mik = 10 years.
width at widest 34.11 mm

total length of necklace approx 22 inches.

All beads sourced in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal.
Antique Coral Beads
Three Antique Coral Beads

SOLD!

Three beautiful antique coral beads. Very sought after shape and perfect for divider beads on a mala.

smallest 12.18 mm
largest 13.27 mm
Antique Coral Beads
Three Antique Coral Beads

SOLD!

Three beautiful antique coral beads. Very sought after shape and perfect for divider beads on a mala.

smallest 12.33 mm
largest 12.86 mm
Prized in the Himalayan regions
Large Coral Bead Necklace
Large Antique Coral Bead Strand

SOLD!

183 grams of undyed and totally natural salmon pink coral.

Condition: Excellent with natural pitting.
length approx 34 inches
140 beads
smallest bead approx 7 mm
largest bead approx 1.4 cm
Huge Coral Bead Necklace
Huge Coral Bead Necklace

SOLD!

A fantastic strand of large antique coral beads. Beads display pitting and natural inclusions. Colour ranges from salmon orange to deep red.

Condition: Very good.
Prized in the Himalayan regions.
weight approx 180 grams
largest approx 1.8 cm
Smallest approx 9mm
Length 31 inches
Antique Coral Bead Necklace
Antique Coral Bead Necklace

SOLD!

A beautiful strand of natural red coral beads that remain in excellent condition. Coral of this colour and grade is extremely hard to come by.

Prized in the Himlayan Regions
50 graudated beads
Total weight 69 grams
length approx 19 inches
smallest 8.12 mm
largest 12.25 mm
Antique Coral Bead Necklace
Antique Coral Bead Necklace

SOLD!

A superb large necklace of genuine antique coral beads. There are some very nice larger beads on this strand.

Condition: Excellent
Prized in the Himalayan Regions
necklace length 25.5 inches
smallest bead approx 5 mm
Largest Bead approx 10.73 mm
57.5 grams
Antique Coral Bead Strand
Antique Coral Bead Strand

SOLD!

This is a gorgeous strand of fantastic natural coral. They display a wonderful deep orangey red colour with minor pitting. These are choice beads of a seldom seen size (the majority are over 11 mm in diameter).

41 completely natural and undyed beads.
Prized in the Himalayan regions.
approx 72 grams
smallest bead = 9.55 mm
largest bead = 13.74 mm

Please note that coral is notoriously difficult to photograph and the exact colour may vary according to the calibration of your computer monitor.
Fine quality antique coral with dZi
Fine quality antique coral necklace with dZi

SOLD!

A fine quality necklace of antique graduated natural red coral and new dZi. The necklace has been strung with a rare quality new 6 eyed bead, flanked with two barrel shaped three eyed dZi (new). It is important to point out that these dZi are amongst the best of their kind and should not be confused with the mass produced new dZi currently in the marketplace. A great looking piece! Finished with a hematite screw clasp for extra security

natural red coral approx 5 mm to 9 mm
age 100 years plus

6 eyed dZi = 46.31 mm x 12.34 mm
3 Eyed dZi = 16.14 mm x 12.73 mm
age of six eye dZi = early 1990s

necklace approx 21 inches
Fine quality antique coral necklace with dZi
Fine quality antique coral necklace with dZi

SOLD!

A fine quality necklace comprised of antique graduated natural red coral. Strung with a rare quality new 6 eyed bead and flanked with two new tasso dZi. Also includes a matched pair of rare quality new Chung dZi. It is important to point out that these dZi are amongst the best of their kind and should not be confused with the mass produced new dZi currently in the marketplace. A great looking piece!

coral approx 5 mm to 9 mm
age 100 years plus
6 eyed dZi = 44.98 mm x 12.47 mm
age of dZi = early 1990s
necklace approx 24 inches

Highly prized in the Himlayan regions.