Gail asked if the original black coral article talks about using water to soften the coral to bend it. Unlike the Antipatharian (deep trench) black coral, it is not necessary to boil it in order to bend. Simple cool water will do. Since writing the original article, I have also perfected using heat from a simple heat gun (hair dryers just don’t seem to do the job) but a torch or alcohol flame can be used as well tho it takes a loooot of practice to keep from burning it. I have also found that the Antipatharian corals will bend to some degree with heat but it is more difficult. There are also black corals (for example; Sea Plume and Dead Man’s Fingers) that are not black but beautiful brown in color. These will not bend with water but will bend with heat also.
The original article may be a bit difficult to find. If that is the case, please let me know and I will post it here.
Anne: Yes, and the workshop is coming up pretty soon. As I can only take 10 in the shop….don’t wait to sign up!! Cheers, Coralnut
coralnut
Latest posts by coralnut (see all)
- Value of Black Coral - March 3, 2011
- How to Work Black Coral - January 1, 2009
- Black Coral Revisited - December 29, 2008
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Thanks Don- If you could post it again that would be great!- GAIL
I have some Australian black whip coral, much of which is very thin. When it’s cleansed of bits of dry weed and barnacles etc., it barely needs polishing – but!! It is covered with very fine, sharp prickles which are a brute to remove, only way I’ve found is filing and sanding, which spoils the shine. Any suggestions gratefully recieved!
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