A natural red coral of 13.45 carats, about 14.78 ratti, at Rs. 25,500 – roughly Rs. 1,896 per carat. It is a long capsule-shaped cabochon, measured from the photograph at about 2.25 times as long as it is wide.

Why a pendant suits this stone particularly

Two reasons, and the second is the important one.

The shape is the first: a long narrow stone hangs naturally and reads as a deliberate design, where on a finger it either sits along the digit and looks odd or across it and catches on everything.

The second is that coral is soft – Mohs 3 to 4 – and a pendant is simply much kinder to it than a ring. A ring stone meets desks, door handles, car keys and washing-up every day. A pendant hangs clear of all of it. For a material this soft, moving the stone from the hand to the chest is the single biggest thing you can do to keep it looking as it does in the photograph.

What you are paying for

At Rs. 1,896 per carat this is one of the higher rates in our red coral tray, which runs from about Rs. 1,438 to Rs. 1,985 per carat across the twenty stones in this group. Coral is priced on colour and on surface quality, and both are judgements rather than measurements. Note that the 16.95 carat stone in this same tray carries the same total price, so if the weight matters more to you than the shape, compare the two.

Moonga and marjan

Red coral is sold in Pakistan as moonga or marjan. It is not a mineral at all but the hardened calcium-carbonate skeleton of a colony of marine animals, grown slowly in deep water. That organic origin is why it has no crystal structure, why it polishes to a soft glow rather than a glassy shine, and why it is soft enough to need care. In South Asian astrology it is associated with Mars (Mangal) and traditionally worn after consulting an astrologer – a belief, not a promise.

What has not been tested

There is no laboratory report for this stone and its treatment has not been tested. Almost all red coral is waxed or oiled, and a good deal is dyed. Neither shows to the eye. We will arrange an independent test if you want the question settled before buying.

Care and ordering

A soft dry cloth, nothing else. Keep it away from perfume, hairspray, chlorine, vinegar and lemon – calcium carbonate dissolves in acid. No ultrasonic cleaner and no steam. One stone, sold once. Message us on WhatsApp for more photographs; delivery is 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 13.45 Carat. Its price is Rs. 25,500 — roughly Rs. 1,896 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RC-0034 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.

Above twelve carats you are into collector territory. Pieces this heavy are usually set as pendants or kept loose, and they are prized for the size of rough they came from. If you do set it, choose a bezel or a heavy claw to protect the edges.

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.