The document discusses the historical and cultural significance of red coral in Zlarin, Croatia, where coral jewelry making has been a tradition since the 13th century. It highlights the protected status of corals and the limitations on their extraction, as well as the successful continuation of coral processing by the Coral Center 'Zlarinka' established in 2001. Additionally, it mentions the recognition of 'Zlarinka' for creating the best souvenir in Croatia in 2010 and provides insight into the jewelry-making process.

1. How Natural
Heritage can
generate
jobs

2. The story of the Zlarin coral

3.  According to an
ancient legend, red
coral was made
when Perseus
beheaded Medusa
and threw the head
into the sea. Sea
algae, covered in
blood from
Medusa’s head,
turned to stone and
became a beautiful
coral.


4. Corals are animals that live
in the world's seas. There
are about 6000 known
species of coral in the
world and 50 of them in the
Adriatic Sea. The
red coral is the most
famous one. The history of
the coral trade in
Croatia goes back to the
13th century and the
famous coral divers of
Zlarin.

5.  In Croatia corals are
protected as endangered
animals which is
regulated under Nature
Protection Act.
Their extraction is limited
to licenced professional
divers only and it musn’t
go over 100 kg.

6. CORAL SHOP ‘’ZLARINKA’’,
THE ISLAND OF ZLARIN

7. Zlarin is an island of corals, where
handmade jewelry processing of coral is
still maintained. Corals are the best
known Zlarin's export product.
An original coral workshop inside
the centre lets the visitors see the
procedure of processing raw coral
and the making of jewelry.
Coral center “Zlarinka” is opened
in 2001 and continues the tradition
of processing coral on the island.

8. The owner of the centre is
Miro Bešker, from Split, who
successfully continued his
fater in law’s tradition in
coral jewelry making.
.
Adriatic red coral on
stone, made by
"Zlarinka" , got the title
of the best souvenir in
Croatia for the year
2010.

9. THE PROCESSING
OF CORALS
 The untreated coral
is light orange in
colour and gradually
reaches the
shimmering and the
brightness of red,
after being
sandblasted in salts
and various liquids.

10.  After the achieved glow, the
coral is processed by
machine and cut into pieces
of desired size.
 The hardest thing is to shape
coral balls, that’s why this
type of jewelery is also the
most expensive.
 It is easier to make jewelery
with the original coral shape,
so there for it is more
affordable.

11. Here is a video about this
interesting job, to show you
more clearly what it is
about.
 https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=HGdgAzio09Q

12. Thank you for
watching!
☺