Strong's defines ramah as referring to something that has a high value and translates the word as "coral," as does the BDB lexicon. It is one of the two major Biblical gemstones which are produced organically (created by a living creature) as opposed to those created strictly by geological processes. The other organically made stone is pearl.
All ten Bibles used in this series translate ramah as "coral" in both Job 28:18 and Ezekiel 27:16 (the only two places it is found). Job refers to this gemstone in relation to how far the attainment of wisdom is above its value. The prophet Ezekiel lists it as among the many goods the Syrians traded with the city of Tyre.
But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know the price of it . . . No mention shall be made of coral, or of crystal; and the price of wisdom is above rubies (Job 28:12 - 13, 18).
Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate (Ezekiel 27:16, KJV).
The gemstone is not mentioned in the Bible as being in the High Priest's breastplate. It is also not referenced as a stone that decorated Lucifer before he became Satan the devil or as a foundation stone in the New Jerusalem.
This naturally made gemstone is formed when tiny marine animals known as coral polyps gather to live in large colonies. The polyps take in calcium carbonate from the water and use it to excrete a hard protective covering around their bodies. When polyps die, they leave behind their protective "skeleton" which other polyps build upon.
This gemstone can be colored red, blue, violet, orange, pink, black and other colors. Due to their intense colors and glossy look, they have been used for jewelry and other decoration purposes since antiquity.
This gemstone has also been traditionally used to make cameos, figurines and beads. According to the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia, the ancient Phoenicians used it to create beads to mount on collars and garments.
Folklore
Coral was believed to give the wearer the ability to travel safely upon large expanses of water. This organic stone was also thought to cease the flow of blood from a wound, heal mental problems and provide wisdom. This brilliantly colored precious stone, it was additionally believed, could combat evil spells (Curious Lore of Precious Stones, pages 68 - 69).