A natural red coral of 10.95 carats, about 12.03 ratti, at Rs. 21,000 – roughly Rs. 1,918 per carat. An elongated cabochon, about 2.02 times as long as it is wide.

This is the brightest stone in the tray, by a wide margin

Worth knowing before you order, because the difference is not subtle. Measured across the face of the photograph, about 43% of this stone reads as dark. Every other coral in this group of twenty measures between 76% and 90%. In the hand that means a vivid, light, almost luminous red where the others are deep and closed.

Which you prefer is entirely a matter of taste and neither is better material. Traditional buyers often want the darkest ox-blood red they can find; others find that shade heavy and prefer exactly this brighter tone, which shows its colour across a room and photographs far better. We are pointing it out so nobody is surprised by the parcel.

Wearing it in a ring

At just under eleven carats, around twelve ratti, this is a substantial ring stone. Being softer than almost anything else in a jewellery box – Mohs 3 to 4 – coral wants a bezel setting, where a rim of metal surrounds and protects the stone, rather than claws that leave the edges exposed. A brighter coral like this one looks particularly good against silver, which keeps the red clean, where yellow gold pushes it warmer still.

Acid is the real enemy

Coral is calcium carbonate, so acid dissolves it. Perfume, hairspray, chlorinated water, vinegar and lemon juice all etch the polish and the damage does not come back. Put the ring on last and take it off before you swim or clean.

What has not been tested

There is no laboratory report for this stone, and its treatment has not been tested. This is worth dwelling on for a bright stone in particular, because dyeing is common in red coral and is used to produce strong even colour, and waxing or oiling is nearly universal to lift lustre. We are not suggesting this stone was treated. We are saying we have not tested it, and we will arrange a test rather than guess.

Care and ordering

A soft dry cloth and nothing else. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no soaking. One stone, sold once. Message us on WhatsApp for more photographs, and we deliver across Pakistan with payment on delivery.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural red coral, known in Urdu as Marjan, with a weight of 10.95 Carat. Its price is Rs. 21,000 — roughly Rs. 1,918 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RC-0032 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

On the Mohs scale red coral rates 3 to 4. That makes it soft for a gemstone, better suited to pendants, earrings and rings for special occasions than to a daily ring. Keep it away from perfume, cleaning products, steam and ultrasonic cleaners, and polish it with a dry, soft cloth after wear.

Whoever you buy red coral from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every red coral for those three points before it is listed, a certificate is available on request, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. Certificate available on request. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Red coral (marjan) is often waxed to improve lustre, and some coral is dyed. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.