2.42 Ct. Coral from Italy

This specimen is a single opaque orange coral, weighing 2.42 carats, which corresponds to 0.484 grams, with overall dimensions measuring 9.50 millimeters by 7.00 millimeters by 2.00 millimeters. The piece is presented in a freeform shape, without a standardized faceting scheme, and is described in the record as cut not applicable, reflecting that the lapidary treatment prioritizes sculptural form over faceted light return. The material is naturally opaque, and the color intensity is classified as medium, producing a visibly saturated but not deeply saturated orange tone. The surface finish is recorded as excellent polish, indicating that the optical response is dominated by broad surface highlights rather than internal play of light, as would be expected for an organic, non crystalline gem material. Origin is Italy, and there are no enhancements recorded, therefore the color and surface condition are a result of natural coloration and artisanal finishing alone.

From a material science and lapidary perspective, this coral behaves like a compact aragonitic organic skeletal material, which requires different handling compared with silicate gemstones. The freeform blank has been worked to retain mass while achieving pleasing silhouette lines, and the polish process has been executed to a high gloss through successively finer abrasives, producing a low micro roughness that yields strong specular reflection. Given the shallow thickness of 2.00 millimeters, the lapidary approach favors smoothing and rounding of edge geometry to eliminate stress concentrators that could cause chipping during setting. The absence of faceting eliminates the need for precise pavilion angles and girdle symmetry, instead focusing the craftsman on consistent thickness control and edge radiusing. The excellent polish suggests final buffing with submicron compounds and a careful inspection for machining marks, which ensures the piece will sit flush in bezel or inlay mountings without visual distraction.

Color assessment is centered on hue, tone, and saturation, and for this coral the hue is a clear orange with medium tone and medium saturation. Opaqueness minimizes depth scattering, so color presentation is essentially surface driven, and this makes the uniformity of color across the surface a critical quality factor. There may be subtle organic growth lines or very small natural surface pits inherent to coral skeletal structure, but the polish and finishing appear to have mitigated these to maintain consistent color fields. The medium intensity orange is versatile in design applications, pairing well with both warm white metals and warmer alloys such as rose or yellow gold, where the metal reflectance can enhance perceived warmth. The lack of any documented enhancement means the color is stable and has not been introduced by dyeing or bleaching, which is particularly important for collectors and designers seeking natural, unaltered material.

For practical use and mounting recommendations, the shallow 2.00 millimeter profile is best suited to bezel settings, low profile pendants, inlay work, and fine micro mosaic or cluster settings where the piece is supported along its circumference. Prong settings are less desirable unless the prongs are designed to encompass a sufficient lip of material, because thin organic pieces can be susceptible to mechanical stress at localized contact points. Given the organic calcium carbonate composition, cleaning and care require neutral, non acidic solutions, gentle wiping with a soft cloth, avoidance of ultrasonic or steam cleaners, and protection from prolonged exposure to solvents, perfumes, and strong heat, which can alter luster or cause cracking. The Natural Gemstone Company confirms the listed origin as Italy, and provides the stated details of natural state and lack of enhancement for this coral, which makes it appropriate for designers and collectors who demand documented provenance and minimal intervention in their materials.