3.08 Ct. Cabochon Coral from Italy

This is a single, beautifully formed opaque coral cabochon, weighing 3.08 carat, presented in a marquise outline, with exact dimensions of 15.37 by 6.94 by 4.11 millimeters, sourced from Italy. The piece exhibits a vivid orangish red hue with strong, evenly distributed saturation, and an excellent polish that yields a smooth, lustrous surface across the dome. The marquise silhouette has been executed with precision to maintain bilateral symmetry and balanced point definition, qualities that are particularly challenging to achieve with organic material. No enhancement has been applied, the color is completely natural, and the stone is supplied through The Natural Gemstone Company with full provenance for collectors and designers who require untreated materials.

From a lapidary perspective, this specimen has been worked as a cabochon, meaning there are no faceted planes, rather a continuous domed profile that emphasizes color and surface luster. The cutting workflow for a marquise cabochon of this size and shape requires careful preforming to establish proportional length to width ratio, followed by progressive grinding to preserve the integrity of the pointed terminations. The dome height has been optimized to present color saturation without introducing optical flattening, and the bezel edge has been finished to allow for secure setting with minimal material removal. Final polishing was accomplished using fine abrasives and polishing compounds suited to calcium carbonate based organics, yielding a mirror like finish that enhances the stone visual depth and tactile quality.

Color and material structure are central to evaluating coral, and this piece rates as vivid in intensity with a warm orangish red body color and uniform chroma across the surface. As an organic gem composed primarily of aragonitic calcium carbonate, coral displays a fine fibrous to granular internal texture rather than crystalline facets, and this sample demonstrates a consistent microstructure with minimal surface veining. Because the material is untreated, there is no stabilization or dye, and the natural color is intact from the origin point in Italy, a region noted for its Mediterranean red coral. Such origins can impart specific tonal qualities and saturation ranges that are favored by collectors and high end designers. The polish quality further accentuates the color by reducing surface scatter and increasing specular reflection, giving the cabochon a vivid, lively appearance under point and diffuse lighting.

On the Mohs hardness scale coral generally registers between 3.5 and 4, and this specimen conforms to that expected hardness range. For comparative reference, quartz is hardness 7, topaz is hardness 8, sapphire and ruby are hardness 9, and diamond is hardness 10, therefore coral is substantially softer than most popular faceted gem species and requires specific considerations for use and care. Durability for daily wear can be achieved by setting design, for example a bezel or halo setting that protects the edges and points of the marquise cabochon is recommended, while exposed prong settings leave the softer material vulnerable to chips and abrasion. In terms of maintenance avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaning, strong acids, or hard brushes, and clean with mild soap and water and a soft cloth. Store the piece separately from harder gemstones to prevent scratching, and avoid prolonged exposure to heat or chemicals. The Natural Gemstone Company provides guidance on mounting and preservation to maximize longevity and to ensure the natural, untreated character of this Italian coral is preserved for generations.