A natural red coral of 8.70 carats, about 9.56 ratti, at Rs. 16,880 – roughly Rs. 1,940 per carat. A cabochon measuring about 1.51 times as long as it is wide – the least elongated stone in this group of twenty, where the longest runs to 2.54.

Silver and moonga

Silver is the usual setting for coral in Pakistan, and for coral specifically it is a better choice than it might appear. It is soft enough to be worked and burnished without much heat near the stone, which matters because coral is organic and scorches; it is easy for any local jeweller to re-set or re-size years later; and a cool white metal keeps the red clean where yellow gold pushes it warmer.

Ask for a bezel, not claws. On a Mohs 3 to 4 material, a continuous rim of metal doing the work of meeting the world is worth far more than it costs.

Why these proportions matter

Being the most balanced stone in this tray makes it the easiest to set conventionally. Long coral batons need a setting built around them; a stone only half again as long as it is wide drops into an ordinary oval-ish bezel, which is cheaper to make and quicker to find ready-made.

Reading the colour

Measured from the photograph, about 94% of this stone's face reads as saturated red and roughly 84% reads as dark, so it sits among the deeper stones here rather than the bright ones.

What has not been tested

No laboratory report exists for this stone and its treatment has not been tested. Nearly all red coral is waxed or oiled, and a real share is dyed. Neither shows to the eye. We will arrange an independent test if you want it settled first.

Care and ordering

A soft dry cloth. Keep it away from perfume, hairspray, chlorine, vinegar and lemon – calcium carbonate dissolves in acid and the etching does not come back. No ultrasonic cleaner and no steam. 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 8.7 Carat. Its price is Rs. 16,880 — roughly Rs. 1,940 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RC-0026 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.