1.73 Ct. Cabochon Coral from Italy

This specimen from The Natural Gemstone Company is a 1.73 carat, opaque orange coral fashioned into a classic round cabochon, with exact dimensions of 7.20 by 7.14 by 4.66 millimeters, medium color intensity, and an excellent polish. The cabochon cut displays a smooth, evenly proportioned convex dome, the apex centered over the geometric center of the round outline, which demonstrates precise preforming and symmetry control in the cutting stage. The elevation of the dome at 4.66 millimeters relative to the diameter creates a pleasing depth, allowing light to interact across the surface and interior structure of the coral in a way that reveals consistent color while maintaining the characteristic soft, waxy luster of high quality coral. The stone is unenhanced, straight from its Italian origin, and its surface finish indicates the use of progressive finer abrasives and final polishing compounds that remove microstriations while preserving the coral grain, resulting in a mirror like sheen without the appearance of glazing or artificial coatings.

The weight of 1.73 carats is a primary attribute in assessing both market value and rarity for coral, because coral is an organic biomineral with growth habits that limit the availability of sizable intact pieces suitable for cutting. Coral specific gravity typically ranges around 2.6 to 2.7, which means that a round cabochon of the stated dimensions weighing 1.73 carats represents a significant retention of material from the rough, indicating expert orientation and efficient yield during cutting. In practical terms, coral rarity and value do not scale linearly with weight, a modest increase in carat weight can result in a disproportionate increase in value, because larger untreated pieces with uniform color and clean surfaces are uncommon. This is especially true for material sourced from Italy, where harvests of collectible Mediterranean coral have historically been selective and constrained, making pieces in the 1.5 to 2.0 carat range particularly desirable to connoisseurs and designers seeking stability of tone and a presence that reads well in single stone settings.

Color grading in this example is described as medium intensity, which for coral denotes a balanced saturation that preserves the organic warmth and subtle translucency without tipping into heavy or dull tones. The hue leans toward an elegant orange with a soft peach overtone, the distribution of color is even across the entire table and around the girdle, and there are no obvious surface blemishes, pits, or color zoning visible to the naked eye. Because the material is unenhanced, the observed color and texture are intrinsic, deriving from the natural cellular structure and trace elements resident in the specimen at formation. The decision to cut a round cabochon with a substantial dome likely reflects an intent to maximize the perceived depth and to showcase the uniformity of color, rather than to produce faceting that would be inappropriate for this low refractive index material. Craftsmanship notes include a well centered cutting axis, tight parallelism of the profile when viewed from opposing directions, and an excellent polished surface that indicates careful final finishing under magnification to eliminate chatter marks and polishing laps, all of which preserve the tactile smoothness that collectors of fine coral prize.

For use in jewelry, the 1.73 carat weight and the 7.20 by 7.14 by 4.66 millimeter proportions make this cabochon versatile, suitable for a striking solitaire ring, a refined pendant, or a matched pair layout where a single focal stone is desired. Given the dome height and the organic hardness profile of coral, secure bezel settings are recommended to protect the perimeter and surface, while settings that avoid concentrated pressure at a single point will help preserve the excellent polish. As an untreated Italian coral, it commands a premium in the market because it combines provenance, natural color saturation, and appreciable carat weight, features that appeal to collectors and custom jewelers alike. The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind the descriptive details, and we can provide additional high resolution images, specific setting recommendations from experienced lapidaries, and certification upon request, for buyers who require documented provenance and treatment verification prior to acquisition.