2.65 Ct. Coral from Italy

This piece offered by The Natural Gemstone Company is a carved oval salmon and white coral cameo, weighing 2.65 carats, with dimensions of 14.19 x 10.03 x 2.90 mm. The gem is opaque, displaying a distinct bi layer coloration with a warm salmon ground and a contrasting white relief. The cutting style is a carving cut executed as a cameo relief, rather than a conventional faceted or cabochon finish. Color intensity is graded as medium, providing balanced saturation that preserves detail in the carved subject while maintaining a subtle warmth in the surrounding ground. The surface exhibits an excellent polish, free of lapping marks or residual abrasives, and the piece is reported as natural with no enhancement. Origin is Italy, a provenance consistent with Mediterranean red coral material historically used for classical cameos.

From a gemological perspective the material is coral skeleton composed primarily of calcium carbonate, typically in the aragonite polymorph for Mediterranean varieties, with a bulk specific gravity in the range commonly associated with natural coralline material. The documented thickness of 2.90 mm is a key dimensional parameter for cameo work, sufficient to support a low to medium relief without compromising structural integrity. The two tone effect evident in this specimen arises from a natural layering within the coral branch, where a lighter inner layer underlies a pigmented outer cortex, enabling the lapidary to carve away the pigmented material selectively to reveal the white field for the subject. The medium color intensity of the salmon ground indicates moderate concentration of carotenoid and other trace chromophores, producing a soft, classical hue rather than intense red, an attribute often preferred for wearable, daytime designs. Hardness of coral lies near the lower mid scale for gem materials, and while soft compared with traditional gemstones it polishes to a pleasing tenacity and sheen when properly finished.

The craftsmanship on this cameo demonstrates controlled carving techniques and careful material economy. The relief appears to have been executed with fine gravers and rotary tools calibrated for low torque to avoid inducing fractures, then refined with progressively finer abrasives to shape hair, facial planes, and the transition between figure and field. The cutter preserved the integrity of abrupt contours, achieving crisp silhouette lines while maintaining gentle convex modeling on higher planes, a balance that maximizes legibility at small scale yet minimizes stress concentrations. The polish stage used on the piece produced a mirror like finish on the exposed white relief, while the surrounding salmon ground shows an equally high luster, indicating closure of micro porosity and removal of final grit. Because the cutting technique relies on differential removal of the outer pigmented material, the cameo demonstrates consistent contrast, with minimal shadowing or banding that could otherwise reduce the perceived depth of the relief. The absence of enhancement means the color and polish are intrinsic, the result of expert lapidary control rather than surface coatings or dyes, and the cameo retains the tactile qualities and aging characteristics expected of natural coral artisanry.

For practical use and mounting considerations the oval footprint of 14.19 x 10.03 mm and the modest thickness of 2.90 mm are well suited to pendant, brooch, or ring bezels where protection of the edges is prioritized. Given the relative softness and brittleness of coral compared with silicate gemstones, a bezel or channel setting that secures the perimeter without applying point pressure is recommended, and designs that expose the profile minimally to abrasion will preserve both form and polish. The weight of 2.65 carats confirms a mass consistent with dense, natural material and will translate to stable placement in a wearable setting. Care instructions include avoidance of ultrasonic cleaning and harsh chemical agents, cleaning instead with a soft cloth and mild soapy water followed by immediate drying, and protection from prolonged exposure to strong heat or direct sunlight which can alter organic pigments. The Natural Gemstone Company can advise on compatible mountings, including recommended bezel depths and protective backings, and can provide additional matching or complementary pieces for coordinated designs. This carved Italian coral cameo offers a technical combination of authentic natural origin, precise lapidary technique, and a useful size profile for refined jewelry applications.