Stones with distinctive colours or patterns have been used as amulets since the dawn of time. Their colour or pattern often determined their use. In the south German region, patterned stones, such as fossilised corals like this one, were considered a powerful protection against witches and the evil eye. The Alpine region was a good source of these distinctive stones, and the inhabitants made amulets on an industrial scale for distribution throughout southern Germany in the 18th century.