1.38 Ct. Cabochon Coral from Italy

This exquisite natural red coral from Italy, presented by The Natural Gemstone Company, is a finely proportioned round cabochon weighing 1.38 carat, with exact dimensions of 8.03 by 8.02 by 2.99 millimeters. As an opaque specimen of Mediterranean red coral, Corallium rubrum, it exhibits a vivid color intensity that immediately communicates quality to an educated buyer. In terms of grading, the most important attributes for coral are color, body uniformity, surface condition, and treatment history. This stone scores exceptionally well across those attributes. The color is evenly saturated with a warm, true red that carries an orange undertone under incandescent light and a pure, lively red in daylight. The surface has received an excellent polish, producing clean, crisp specular highlights on the dome, while the cabochon cut preserves the material intact, showing the natural continuity of color and texture. Enhancement is explicitly absent, and the Italian origin is a premium provenance that collectors recognize as one of the most desirable sources for premium red coral. For buyers who prioritize natural state and documented origin, the untreated nature of this piece significantly enhances its value.

Understanding why this coral appears to sparkle and glow requires a brief look at its internal structure, which differs fundamentally from crystalline gemstones. Coral is an organic skeletal material, composed primarily of microcrystalline calcium carbonate in the aragonite form, bound together with organic proteins and pigments that developed during the life of the coral organism. This microstructure produces a diffuse internal scattering of light, sometimes described as subsurface scattering, that gives coral a soft, warm luminosity rather than the sharp, faceted brilliance seen in transparent gems. In a well cut and highly polished cabochon such as this one, the rounded dome concentrates and redirects incoming light to the viewer as a combination of broad, even glow and small, bright specular points where the surface reflects the environment. That interplay creates a living quality, a depth of color and a delicate sheen that can appear more animated than the surface of many other opaque materials. The combination of high polish, a near perfect dome symmetry, and the naturally fine microcrystalline texture produces a type of visual vitality that is distinctive to top grade red coral, and which many connoisseurs describe as an unequaled internal radiance.

From a practical and investment standpoint, this 1.38 carat Italian coral cabochon is compelling both for the discerning collector and for fine jewelry applications. Its compact size and ideal round proportions make it especially well suited to classic bezel set rings, elegant solitaire pendants, and artisan designs that highlight single stones. The absence of treatments assures longevity of appearance when the piece is properly cared for, and the excellent polish reduces the need for immediate maintenance. Buyers should consider the natural tendencies of coral when specifying settings and wear. Coral is relatively soft compared to minerals, so protective settings that shield the stone from abrasion and impact are recommended. Cleaning should be done gently, with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, avoiding ultrasonic cleaners, harsh chemicals, and prolonged exposure to heat or strong sunlight which can alter the pigments. Properly maintained, an untreated Italian red coral of this quality will remain a distinctive and wearable asset in a collection, offering both historical cachet and a tactile, warm beauty that continues to appeal to designers and collectors alike. When you choose this gem through The Natural Gemstone Company, you are securing a piece with documented origin, natural state, and the aesthetic qualities that specialists look for in premium Mediterranean red coral.