0.43 Ct. Cabochon Coral from Italy

This listing from The Natural Gemstone Company presents a natural, opaque coral cabochon weighing 0.43 carat, cut into a marquise silhouette with dimensions 8.42 by 3.72 by 2.31 mm, and originating from Italy. The piece displays a delicate salmon and white tonality with medium light color intensity, producing a soft, pastel visual effect rather than vivid saturation. As a cabochon, the stone possesses a smooth domed profile with tapered points at the terminations, and the excellent polish yields a clean, glossy surface that demonstrates precise lapidary control and minimal surface blemishes. The coral is untreated, no enhancement, and the material shows the typical dense aragonite microstructure of Mediterranean coral, with fine growth texture rather than distinct crystalline facets, which makes color distribution and surface quality more critical than faceting angles for overall appearance.

From a craftsmanship perspective, the marquise cabochon was shaped to optimize symmetry and orientation relative to the coral growth lines, maintaining a conservative thickness of 2.31 mm to balance durability with lightness, and preserving the delicate salmon and white interface without introducing stress cracks. The absence of faceting focuses attention on polish quality, and the lapidary sequence likely progressed through graduated abrasives and fine diamond pastes to achieve the mirror finish now visible, with attention to eliminating pits and maintaining even curvature across the dome. For jewellery settings, a low bezel or channel mount is recommended to support the pointed ends and protect against chipping, with adhesive use minimized and avoided near heat or solvents, since coral has a Mohs hardness in the low 3 to 4 range and is sensitive to acids, ultrasonic cleaning, and prolonged exposure to cosmetics. The Italian provenance contributes to its appeal, indicating Mediterranean species and traditional sourcing, and The Natural Gemstone Company confirms the natural, untreated status and precise measurements provided. Please contact The Natural Gemstone Company for additional verification images, mounting recommendations, or to request a condition report tailored to your design requirements.