9.48 Ct. Cabochon Coral from Italy

This marquise cabochon from The Natural Gemstone Company presents a study in organic geometry and controlled surface treatment, a 9.48 carat opaque coral cut to a marquise outline measuring 9.00 by 4.00 by 2.50 mm. The marquise silhouette is executed with proportion in mind, a length to width ratio of approximately 2.25 to 1 that preserves the elegant elongation of the form without introducing excessive fragility at the points. As a cabochon the dome has been engineered to an even, low profile, the shallow 2.50 mm thickness delivering a comfortable setting depth while maintaining a pleasing crown height that enhances the internal color transition between the salmon and white zones. The cutting approach favors symmetry, precise apex alignment, and a continuous girdle perimeter, each element selected to ensure predictable seating in bezel or prong mountings and to facilitate the use of this piece as an accent in fine jewelry, or as the principal stone in more delicate designs.

Color and polish define the perceptual weight of this piece, the medium light color intensity reading as unexpectedly rich due to a warm salmon saturation set against soft white matrix areas. The salmon areas exhibit warm orange pink undertones that convey a sense of personal power and distinction, while the adjacent white zones provide contrast that sharpens the hue and increases visual complexity. Because coral is a biogenic calcium carbonate material, its color is inherent to the organic structure and not the result of dyeing or stabilization, and this specimen is supplied with no enhancements. Surface finishing was performed to an excellent polish, a microscopically smooth finish achieved through progressive abrasive grits and final leather and diamond paste burnishing, producing a silky, satiny luster rather than a mirror gloss, a finish that complements coral structure and reduces the appearance of surface reflection, allowing the warm body color to remain the focal attribute.

From a craftsmanship and provenance perspective, this coral originates from Italy, a region with a long history of sourcing Mediterranean red and pink coral for high end lapidary items. Selection for cutting began with nodules showing balanced color distribution, and the marquise cabochon was oriented to maximize the aesthetic interaction between salmon and white areas, a deliberate choice that requires experienced rough mapping to avoid unwanted banding or weak tips. No treatments have been applied, and the piece has been reviewed under standard gemological observation to confirm the absence of synthetic fillings, dye penetration, or polymer impregnation, a status that informs both value and long term care. The dimensions and weight make this stone highly versatile in manufacture, suited to flush bezels, gallery settings that highlight the marquise shape, or as matched accents in cluster work, with the shallow profile allowing for low catch designs that retain the stone as a tactile element.

For the connoisseur who values technical exactitude and the symbolic resonance of color, this marquise salmon and white coral communicates distinction through material authenticity and refined workmanship. The combination of an exacting cabochon cut, consistent polish protocol, no enhancement declaration, and Italian origin positions this stone as a considered choice for designers seeking a warm, yet subtly bold chromatic statement. The Natural Gemstone Company offers this specimen as an example of how organic gemstones can be shaped with the precision of fine gems, providing a nuanced color story that functions as a wearable emblem of personal power, and a technical foundation for exacting jewelry work.