Red Coral (Marjan) Price in Pakistan: Per Carat, Per Ratti and What Sets It

Red coral (marjan) is priced mainly on its colour, then on the smoothness of its surface, its size and its shape. Origin and the honesty of the description come next: a dyed or reconstructed piece should cost a small fraction of natural, undyed coral of the same look. That is why two marjan stones of similar weight can be quoted very differently in the same bazaar.

This guide explains each of those factors, how per-ratti pricing works in Pakistan, and how to compare quotes fairly. Instead of quoting figures from memory, we show a table built from our own listings, refreshed monthly, so you can see where real stones sit. You can browse every piece in our red coral collection, each photographed and priced on its own.

Red coral prices from our listings

The table below is generated from the marjan currently listed on GemStore. It shows the lowest, typical and highest price per stone, plus the equivalent per carat and per ratti, so you can compare a quote from any seller against real stock.

Red Coral · October 2026 edition · PKR, from GemStore listings. 1 ratti = 0.91 carat.

Weight	Weights	Stones	Per carat	Per ratti
3 – 6 carat	3.4 – 6.0 ct	5	Rs 1,350 – Rs 1,500	Rs 1,250 – Rs 1,350
6 – 10 carat	6.2 – 9.7 ct	26	Rs 1,350 – Rs 2,000	Rs 1,250 – Rs 1,800
Over 10 carat	11.0 – 17.0 ct	4	Rs 1,500 – Rs 1,900	Rs 1,350 – Rs 1,750

Read the table as a range rather than a rate card. A stone at the low end is not a bargain version of one at the high end; it is usually a lighter colour, a smaller size or a surface with more pits. The sections below explain what moves a stone up or down that range. For prices across all stones, see our monthly gemstone price guide.

Why coral is priced differently from mineral gems

Red coral is organic. It is the calcium carbonate skeleton of colonies of tiny sea animals, harvested from the sea bed rather than mined. That has three effects on price:

• Supply is limited and regulated. Gem coral grows slowly, and harvesting is controlled in the main producing waters. Good red material in larger pieces is scarce.
• Waste is high. Coral branches are thin and often hollow or pitted, so a large clean cabochon comes from a thick section of branch, and much of the raw material is lost in cutting.
• Clarity does not apply. Coral is opaque, so the usual talk of inclusions is replaced by surface quality: pits, cracks, worm holes and white spots.

The five things that set a red coral's price

1. Colour

Colour does most of the work. The trade runs roughly from pale pink-orange through orange-red and true red to a deep oxblood red. In Pakistan, astrology buyers usually ask for a strong, even red, sometimes called "sindoori" or blood red. The deeper and more even the red, the higher the price per carat. Patches of paler colour, a white core showing at the edge, or a brownish cast all bring the price down.

2. Surface

Look at the stone under a lamp and turn it slowly. Fine natural coral shows a faint wood-like grain, which is normal. What lowers value is visible pitting, small holes, cracks running across the stone, or patches where filler has been used to smooth the surface. A clean, glassy polish over the whole face is what you pay extra for.

3. Size

Weight raises the price more than proportionally once stones get larger, because thick, sound branch sections are rare. A 12 ratti stone of good colour usually costs more per ratti than a 6 ratti stone of the same colour. Check sizes in carats and ratti with our carat to ratti converter.

4. Shape and cut

Marjan is cut as oval, round, capsule, triangle (often called trikon) and freeform cabochons, plus beads for necklaces and tasbih. Triangle stones are popular for astrological rings because some traditions prefer that shape for Mars. Cutting a sharp, symmetrical triangle wastes more material, so a well-shaped triangle can cost more per ratti than an oval of the same quality. A thick, lumpy base adds weight you pay for without adding beauty.

5. Origin and type

You will hear "Italian marjan" and "Japanese marjan" in Pakistani shops. Mediterranean coral, traded largely through Italy, is the classic orange-red to red. Coral from the seas around Japan and Taiwan includes the deep oxblood shades and some pink material. Origin names are used loosely in the trade, so treat them as a colour description unless a lab report confirms otherwise. Origin alone should never justify a big price gap.

Treatments and substitutes that should cost far less

The biggest price trap with marjan is not overpaying for a good stone. It is paying natural-coral prices for something else. Ask about each of these:

• Dyed coral: pale coral, or bamboo coral, soaked in red dye. Dye collects in cracks and pores, which look darker than the rest of the stone under a loupe. A cotton bud with a little acetone may pick up colour, but test only on a stone you own and in an unseen spot.
• Filled or coated coral: pits filled with resin or a wax coating to hide surface flaws. It looks smooth at first, then dulls as the coating wears.
• Reconstructed coral: coral powder bound with resin and pressed into shape. It is very even in colour and shows no natural grain.
• Imitations: red glass, plastic, and dyed bone or shell. These are much lighter or show bubbles and moulding marks.

None of these should be priced near natural undyed coral. Our separate guide on real versus fake red coral covers the checks in detail, and our red coral buying guide explains what to look for in your first stone.

How per-ratti pricing works in Pakistan

Most marjan in Pakistan is quoted per ratti, especially by sellers who supply stones for astrological rings. Before comparing two quotes, check three things:

• Which ratti? The standard gemstone ratti is 0.91 carat (about 0.182 g). The jeweller's sunari ratti is smaller, about 0.1215 g or 0.61 carat. A per-ratti price on the smaller ratti looks cheaper but buys less coral. Ask the seller which they mean and get it written down.
• Is the rate flat? Some sellers quote one rate per ratti for any size. That usually means the rate was set for small stones, and larger pieces are either of weaker quality or priced separately on request.
• Is the weight of the loose stone? A ring weight includes metal. Always ask for the weight of the stone alone, before setting.

A simple habit helps: convert every quote into a price per carat for the loose stone, then compare like with like.

How to compare two quotes fairly

1. Ask for a daylight photo of each stone next to a ruler or coin, front and side.
2. Get the weight in carats and confirm which ratti, if ratti is quoted.
3. Ask in writing whether the stone is natural, undyed and unfilled.
4. Compare colour first. If one stone is clearly deeper red, it should cost more.
5. Compare the surface. Pits and cracks visible without a loupe justify a lower price.
6. Compare shape. A well-made triangle or a clean oval with a sensible depth is worth more than a thick, uneven cabochon.
7. Only then consider origin names, and only if backed by a report.

If one quote is much lower than the others for what looks like the same stone, the difference is almost always in something not mentioned: dye, filler, reconstructed material or the smaller ratti.

Budget tiers and what each usually buys

You can browse the whole shop by budget. These links show stones of all types; filter to red coral on the page that opens.

• Under 5,000 rupees: start here for a small first marjan or a pendant stone, and expect lighter colour or minor surface marks.
• 5,000 to 20,000 rupees: the band to check for common ring sizes; compare colour carefully, since this is where the differences above show most.
• 20,000 to 50,000 rupees: look here for larger stones, deeper colour, cleaner surfaces and well-cut triangles.
• Over 50,000 rupees: the scarce end, where size, deep even red and a fine polish come together.

Two examples from the collection at different sizes: a 10.95 carat natural marjan and a 13.45 carat natural marjan. Compare their colour and surface with the photos to see how the range above works in practice.

Does a certificate change the price?

A certificate adds a testing cost but often saves money, because it settles the dye and reconstruction questions that drive most of the price risk with coral. For a higher-value marjan, written confirmation is worth having. A certificate is available on request on our stones, and independent lab testing can be arranged; see lab-certified red coral and our guide to reading a lab certificate.

Looking after the value of your coral

Coral is soft, at about 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale, and it reacts to acids. Perfume, lemon juice, vinegar and household cleaners can etch the polish, and a dull, etched surface lowers what a stone is worth. Wipe it with a damp cloth, keep it away from harder stones, and remove a marjan ring for cooking and cleaning. Our guide on how to wear red coral covers setting and daily care.

Marjan in tradition

In Vedic astrology red coral is the stone of Mars (Mangal) and is traditionally worn for courage and energy. It is commonly linked with Aries and Scorpio; see our Aries gemstones page. These are beliefs, not promised results. If you are buying on an astrologer's advice, agree the weight and which ratti they mean before you pay, because that one detail changes the price more than anything else.

Buying marjan from GemStore

Every coral we list is photographed on its own, weighed as a loose stone and described with any known treatment. You pay by Cash on Delivery anywhere in Pakistan and can open the parcel to inspect it before paying the rider. Returns are accepted within 7 days. If you have quotes from elsewhere, send them to us on WhatsApp and we will help you compare like with like.

Shop the stones: red coral.

The beliefs described here are traditions, shared for interest. They are not guaranteed outcomes, religious rulings or medical advice.