47.76 Ct. Coral from Italy

This listing describes one natural, untreated bead of Italian coral, weighing 47.76 carats, with a bead shape and precise dimensions of 10.00 by 10.00 by 10.00 millimeters, and a medium light color intensity in a harmonious mix of salmon and white tones, an opaque body and an excellent polish, with no enhancement reported. The bead cut is spherical, and the overall presentation emphasizes uniformity of shape and the integrity of the surface finish. The origin is Italy, and the item is offered through The Natural Gemstone Company, presented as a single, responsibly sourced coral bead suitable for bespoke settings and artisan stringing. The description that follows focuses on structural characteristics and the optical interaction between the bead geometry and the coral microstructure that together produce a distinctive luminous effect often referred to as a soft sparkle.

At a material level coral skeleton is composed predominantly of aragonite, a crystalline form of calcium carbonate, arranged within a fine organic matrix that governs growth and patterning. In contrast to gem minerals that derive their brilliance from internal faceting and refraction, coral produces its visual effect through a combination of microcrystalline texture, tightly packed fibrous microstructures, and subtle variations in density and pigmentation. These microscopic features scatter and diffuse incoming light beneath the polished surface, resulting in controlled sub surface scattering that yields a warm, glowing appearance. The salmon and white color zones reflect variations in biological deposition during growth, and these layered deposits create minute boundaries that influence how light is absorbed and re emitted, giving rise to a soft, pearly sheen that is both depth bearing and homogenous across the surface.

The bead cut and the excellent polish amplify the optical signature of this material in specific ways, producing a sparkle that differs from faceted gem brilliance while remaining unmistakable and refined. The spherical geometry of a ten millimeter bead ensures a continuous, even curvature that catches incident light from multiple angles and redistributes it as moving highlights across the surface, therefore enhancing the perception of liveliness as the bead is rotated or worn. The high quality polish minimizes surface disruption and maximizes specular reflection, creating small, well defined catchlights, while the underlying microstructure provides sustained diffuse glow, so that the visual effect alternates between pinpoint highlights and a broader inner glow. The contrast between the warmer salmon areas and the cooler white regions increases perceived dimensionality, because the differential scattering and subtle translucency accentuate tonal transitions, and the overall result is a kind of soft sparkle that combines immediate visual impact with an enduring, organic depth not typically achieved by inorganic, crystalline gemstones.

From a practical perspective this coral bead is especially well suited to designs that exploit its spherical symmetry and natural coloration, including strand work, pairings with warm metals, and single bead focal settings where the tactile quality and luminous surface are prioritized. The medium light color intensity makes it versatile for both daytime and evening wear, and the untreated nature ensures an authentic material history that is traceable to Mediterranean sources. Because coral is an organic material with a lower hardness relative to many gemstones, appropriate care is recommended, including storage separate from harder stones, gentle cleaning with a soft cloth and mild solution, avoidance of prolonged exposure to acids, strong detergents, and extreme heat, and mindful handling to preserve the polished surface. The Natural Gemstone Company confirms the item as a natural, unenhanced coral bead from Italy, and provides this technical and aesthetic profile to assist designers and collectors in understanding how the material structure, cut, and finish combine to create a luminous, nuanced sparkle that is distinctive to natural coral.