A natural red coral – marjan – of 9.40 carats, about 10.33 ratti, at Rs. 16,130 – roughly Rs. 1,716 per carat. A capsule-shaped cabochon, about 2.19 times as long as it is wide.

Marjan, moonga and coral

Three names, one material. Marjan is the Arabic and Urdu name, moonga the Hindi and Urdu one used across the subcontinent, and coral the English. None of them describes a different grade or a different stone, and a seller using one rather than another is not offering you something special.

Setting it into jewellery

This is a shape that suits a maker. A long capsule cabochon sits well in a bar setting, as the centre of a row, or as a pendant drop, and its flat base makes it straightforward for a jeweller to seat securely – which matters more for coral than for most stones.

The one instruction worth giving your jeweller is about heat. Coral is organic and will scorch, discolour or crack if a torch comes near it, so the stone must be set cold, after all soldering is done. Any experienced jeweller knows this, but it is worth saying aloud when you hand the stone over, because the mistake is not repairable.

Softness and chemistry

Coral is Mohs 3 to 4, among the softest materials worn as jewellery, so a bezel setting that shields the edges is the sensible choice. More importantly, coral is calcium carbonate and dissolves in acid: perfume, hairspray, chlorinated water, vinegar and lemon juice all etch the surface permanently. Put the piece on last when dressing.

What has not been tested

No laboratory report, and the treatment has not been tested. Nearly all red coral is waxed or oiled to lift its lustre, and a meaningful share of what reaches the market is dyed. Both are ordinary trade practice and neither can be seen by eye. We do not claim this stone is untreated. We will arrange an independent test if you would like one first.

Care and ordering

A soft dry cloth, and nothing more. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no soaking. Keep it apart from harder stones. 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 9.4 Carat. Its price is Rs. 16,130 — roughly Rs. 1,716 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RC-0030 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.