25.22 Ct. Cabochon Coral from Italy

This specimen from The Natural Gemstone Company is a single opaque orange coral, meticulously cut to an oval cabochon profile, weighing 25.22 carats, with finished dimensions of 9.10 x 7.10 x 3.50 mm. The material presents a faint color intensity, occupying the paler end of the orange spectrum with subtle salmon overtones that register as soft and even to the eye. The piece is untreated, with no enhancement recorded, and its provenance is certified as Italy, a region noted for Mediterranean coral varieties that display fine grain and stable color. The cabochon presentation emphasizes surface quality and smooth tonal transitions, and the excellent polish amplifies the intrinsic warm luster of the organic structure, producing a gentle satin sheen rather than a high dispersion sparkle.

In technical terms the cabochon cut on this coral prioritizes dome geometry, base parallelism, and symmetry of outline, all critical parameters when working with organic carbonates that have anisotropic grain direction and variable porosity. The dome height has been modulated to balance light reflection and wearable proportions, avoiding excessive curvature that can accentuate translucency variations, and avoiding too low a profile that would diminish surface highlight continuity. The lapidary workflow for this piece would have included careful orientation of the cutting axis relative to growth banding to minimize visible banding at the finished surface, incremental sanding across successively finer abrasives, and final polishing with non aggressive agents suited to coral to preserve the waxy to silky luster. The excellent polish indicates that surface microabrasions were removed to a degree consistent with premium cabochon finishing, resulting in continuous specular highlights and excellent tactile smoothness.

Color grading for this coral is reported as faint intensity, a classification that describes both saturation and chroma in relation to the species norm. Within this category the hue skews toward orange with delicate salmon undertones, the chroma is low to moderate, and the uniformity is high with minimal macroscopic zoning. These attributes are consistent with well selected Italian coral blanks, where even pigmentation and fine grain produce soft pastel tones sought after in classic jewelry designs. Optical behavior is characteristic of organic gem materials, exhibiting low to moderate light scattering, a subdued internal glow, and a surface response that emphasizes polish rather than internal brilliance. Because the material is opaque, the color impression is dominantly surface derived, making surface finish and dome geometry decisive for perceived color depth. The absence of enhancements such as dyeing, bleaching, or resin stabilization increases the importance of the natural surface finish and structural integrity, and it supports collectors and designers who prioritize untreated provenance.

From a setting and handling perspective this 9.10 x 7.10 x 3.50 mm oval cabochon is well suited to bezel mounts that protect the girdle and distribute mechanical stress across the perimeter, however skilled stone setters can also integrate the piece into open backed designs if additional support is engineered. Given the organic composition and natural porosity of coral, recommended practices include avoiding ultrasonic cleaning, aggressive chemicals, and prolonged exposure to solvents or high heat, and instead using a soft cloth and mild soapy water for routine maintenance. For designers focused on longevity, sealing the bezel interface and minimizing direct adhesive contact with the stone surface are advisable. At The Natural Gemstone Company we document origin and treatment status for each lot, and this Italian coral is presented as a high quality, untouched example suitable for collectors, bespoke jewelry projects, and restoration work where historical accuracy is valued. If you require further technical data, measured dome height, cross section photomicrographs, or setting mockups, our team can provide additional documentation and high resolution imagery upon request.