A natural red coral of 7.10 carats, about 7.80 ratti, at Rs. 11,250 – roughly Rs. 1,585 per carat. A cabochon measuring about 1.70 times as long as it is wide.

This is the darkest stone in the tray

The deep name is not decoration. Measured across the face of the photograph, about 90% of this stone reads as dark – the highest figure of all twenty stones in this group, where the brightest measures 43%. It is the closest thing here to the deep ox-blood red that traditional moonga buyers ask for.

What that looks like in practice: indoors it reads as a dense, almost brooding red; held towards daylight it opens into a clear deep crimson. If you want a coral that announces itself from across a room, the brighter stone in this tray will suit you better. If you want the sombre traditional colour, this is the one.

Note: there are two stones at this weight

This tray holds a second red coral of 7.10 carats at the same price. They are different stones. The difference is shape: this one is about 1.70 times as long as it is wide, the other 2.54 – a much slimmer baton. Compare the photographs, and ask us to show them together if that helps.

Coral is organic, and soft

Red coral is the calcium-carbonate skeleton of a colony of marine animals, not a mineral crystal, which is why it polishes to a soft glow and why it is only Mohs 3 to 4. Ask for a bezel setting, store it apart from harder stones, and take a ring off for rough work.

Acid is what actually ruins coral

Calcium carbonate dissolves in acid, so perfume, hairspray, chlorinated water, vinegar and lemon juice all etch the polish permanently. More coral is spoiled this way than by any knock. Jewellery on last, off first. Heat damages it too, so it must be set cold.

What has not been tested

No laboratory report, and the treatment has not been tested. This deserves saying twice over on a stone sold for its depth of colour, because dyeing is common in red coral and is used to produce exactly this kind of deep even red, while waxing or oiling is nearly universal. We are not saying this stone was dyed. We are saying nobody has tested it, and we will arrange a test rather than let the colour speak for itself.

Care and ordering

A soft dry cloth. 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 7.1 Carat. Its price is Rs. 11,250 — roughly Rs. 1,585 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RC-0016 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.