Unlike most other gemstones which are of mineral origin, Coral is organic, produced by living organisms. It develops from branching, antler-like edifices created from coral polyps in tropical and subtropical ocean waters. When the coral polyps die, the hardened skeleton resides, and this material is what is used as a gemstone. Most coral is white, but nature can build coral in various other colours, including the traditional orange to red forms. This Red Coral, or Precious Coral as it is often known, is the commonly used gemstone form of Coral. In fact, the colour known as coral is derived from the typical pinkish-orange colour of several red Coral gemstones.