Italian Strand of Rubrum Coral

Barrel after barrel, red as sealing wax.

Italy is the source of this strand of rubrum coral, a red Mediterranean coral commonly made into beads. The beads here are cut as slim tubes, fairly even in length, and mostly a rich, saturated red. A few paler spots appear along the string, where the coral has lighter areas. The surface is smooth and finely striated, and the strand falls in a long, simple oval. Because the pieces are straight-sided, the strand has a tidy, almost architectural rhythm, with only slight variation in tone from bead to bead.

About 20 inches long. Looks formal when long and fresh when doubled.