Red Coral

Red Coral, known as Moonga in Vedic astrology, is unique among gemstones in that it's organic — formed from the calcified skeletal deposits of marine coral polyps, not a mineral crystal. Its rich red colour ranges from a pale pinkish-red to a deep, intense "ox-blood" red, with the most prized stones showing a uniform, vivid red without visible pitting or white veining. Rated 3.5–4 on the Mohs hardness scale, it's considerably softer than sapphire or ruby, so it needs gentler daily handling.

Italian (Mediterranean) coral has historically been considered the finest source, prized for its deep, even red colour, though sustainable harvesting has made genuinely fine Italian material increasingly scarce. Japanese (Aka and Moro) coral is highly regarded for its rich colour and is a major source of fine material today. Taiwanese coral is also widely traded. Because coral is a living organism harvested from the ocean, sourcing and sustainability are worth being transparent about with customers, alongside the traditional origin-based quality hierarchy.