A natural red coral of 7.35 carats, about 8.08 ratti, at Rs. 14,250 – roughly Rs. 1,939 per carat. A capsule cabochon, about 2.05 times as long as it is wide.

One of the deeper reds here

Measured across the face of the photograph, about 95% of this stone reads as a saturated red and roughly 86% reads as dark. That puts it among the deeper stones in this group of twenty, where the range runs from 43% to 90%. Expect a rich, closed red that opens up in direct light rather than a bright one that shows its colour from across a room.

Eight ratti

At a touch over eight ratti this is a common size for an astrological moonga ring, and one ratti is about 0.91 carats, which is where the figure comes from. In South Asian tradition coral is associated with Mars (Mangal) and worn after consulting an astrologer. We mention it because buyers ask; it is a belief and we make no promises about outcomes.

What coral is

Not a mineral. Red coral is the hardened calcium-carbonate skeleton of a colony of marine animals, grown over decades in deep water, coloured by pigments laid down as it formed. It has no crystal structure, which is why it takes a soft lustrous polish rather than a glassy one, and why it is soft: Mohs 3 to 4.

Looking after it

Ask for a bezel setting, which puts a rim of metal between the stone and the world. Store it away from harder stones. Most importantly, keep it away from acid: perfume, hairspray, chlorinated water, vinegar and lemon juice all dissolve calcium carbonate and etch the polish permanently. Heat damages it too, so it must be set cold, never with a torch nearby.

What has not been tested

There is no laboratory report for this stone and its treatment has not been tested. Nearly all red coral is waxed or oiled to lift its lustre, and a real share is dyed to deepen the colour. Deep even reds are what dyeing produces as well as what good natural material looks like, so we claim neither. We will arrange a test on request.

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 7.35 Carat. Its price is Rs. 14,250 — roughly Rs. 1,939 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RC-0019 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.