is italian coral superior to other corals?

Question

if so why?
what other types of coral is there out there?

Answer 1

Italian coral used in the busy Italian market is the Corallium rubrum which is found around the world

Mediterranean Coral these polyps are Corallium rubrum
Bianco Pure White
Pelle d'angelo Pale flesh pink (angels skin)
Rose pallido Pale rose
Rose vivo Bright rose
Secondo coloro Salmon colour (second colour)
Rosso Red
Rosso scuro Dark red
Arciscuro or Carboneto Very dark red ( ox-blood red)


precious coral
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_%28precious%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral#Coral_types

only their calcified skeletons are used in jewellery,The most valued type of coral is Noble red coral, (Corallicium rubrum).
The colour is uniform through out the branch from soft pink to dark red, sometimes white or pink spotted. White, black, and blue are also used. White coral as well as red is composed of calcium carbonate; the black and blue are composed of an organic horn substance (specific gravity 1:34-1:46). Black coral grows to a height of 10feet/3metres

Colour Red, Pink, White, (Black, Blue)
Streak White
Mohs Hardness 3-4
Specific Gravity 2.6-2.7
Crystal system Hexagonal microcrystaline
Chemical composition CaCO3 Calcium carbonate(+magnesia+organic substance)
Transparency Opaque
Refractive Index 1.486-1.658
double refraction-0.172
Fluorescence weak

Coral harvesting is to be made illegal due to the damage to the coral reef
http://www.cdnn.info/eco/e010612/e010612.html

this link has a lot of information about coral and other gemstones I hope this helps with your question

http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/coral.html