AGrade Matched Coral: these are old gem-quality Corals from Kerala Sth India, of traditional native barrel cut and very nicely re-polished, back to their original strong orange-red.
Coral has always been considered precious on the sub-continent, and especially so in the south of India. In ancient times Coral was imported into the sub-continent mostly from China, from the waters around what is now called Taiwan; from the 1600s European traders brought in Mediterranean Coral, in branch form. Gemstone Coral is a dense organic material and lends itself to clean cutting; it also takes a high polish. Its colour ranges from palest pink to blood red.
Sometimes ordinary base non-gem Coral can achieve pink hues, but will splinter easily and not take a high polish.