A natural red coral of 9.20 carats, about 10.11 ratti, at Rs. 17,630 – roughly Rs. 1,916 per carat. A long capsule cabochon, about 2.38 times as long as it is wide – the most elongated of the named stones in this tray.

What is behind the word "premium"

One measured thing: evenness of colour. About 96% of this stone's face reads as a saturated red, among the highest in this group of twenty, with essentially no orange or pale zoning – under 0.3% of the surface reads orange, against nearly 10% on the one stone in this tray that carries a visible warm patch.

Even colour is the single thing coral is graded on in the trade, because unlike a mineral gem there is no clarity to assess and no cut to judge. So "premium" here means the colour runs clean across the whole face. It does not mean anything about a certificate, because no laboratory has seen this stone.

A long stone on the hand

At nearly two and a half times as long as it is wide, this is a classic moonga baton. Set along the finger it reads as a traditional astrological ring; set across, it makes a wide statement but catches more. Either way, ask for a bezel: coral is Mohs 3 to 4 and the ends of a long stone are the most exposed part of it.

Organic, and what that means for care

Coral is the hardened skeleton of a marine colony, calcium carbonate rather than a mineral crystal. That makes it soft, and it makes it chemically vulnerable in a way that stone is not: acid dissolves it. Perfume, hairspray, chlorine, vinegar and lemon juice all etch the polish permanently. It also means heat damages it, so the stone must be set cold, never with a torch nearby.

What has not been tested

No laboratory report, and the treatment has not been tested. Almost all red coral is waxed or oiled to lift lustre; a meaningful share is dyed to produce exactly the kind of even colour described above. We are not saying this stone was dyed. We are saying nobody has tested it, and we would rather tell you that than imply otherwise.

Care and ordering

A soft dry cloth and nothing else. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no soaking. Store it apart from harder stones. One stone, sold once. Message us on WhatsApp for more photographs; delivery 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 9.2 Carat. Its price is Rs. 17,630 — roughly Rs. 1,916 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RC-0028 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.