Gemstone profile and identification guide
Pink Coral
Pink coral is an organic gem material widely used in decorative jewelry, often requiring treatment and sourcing disclosure.
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Overview
Pink coral is an organic gem material widely used in decorative jewelry, often requiring treatment and sourcing disclosure.
Did you know? Responsible coral trade requires both treatment disclosure and regulatory compliance in many jurisdictions.
Use this profile as a collector reference and educational guide for quick on-page comparison, then validate with the interactive identification system.
Identification
Name: Pink Coral
Scientific classification: Organic Gem Material (Coral, often treated in trade)
Hardness: 3.5 Mohs
Transparency: opaque
Lustre: waxy
Crystal system: Biogenic aggregate
Primary colour: Pink
Secondary colour: Salmon Pink
Colour family: Pinks
Porous coral structures and dye concentration patterns help determine treatment status.
Verification Status
Status: verified-core-fields
Reference priority: GIA, Gem-A, Mindat, International Gem Society
Core identity, locality, and physical-property fields reviewed against standard gemological references.
Trade-name entries include conservative composition and treatment disclosures where needed.
Physical Properties
Hardness category: soft
Hardness value: 3.5 Mohs
Chemical composition: Calcium carbonate with organic structures
Crystal system: Biogenic aggregate
Common locations: Marine coral sources and processing centers
Learn more: Gem-A gemstone education resources.
Colour Variations
Pink to salmon coral used in beads and carved jewelry items.
Optical effects: None specified in the current dataset.
Detailed Gemology
Mineral species: Coral-based organic gem material
Mineral group: Organic gem materials
Chemical formula: Calcium carbonate with organic structures
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Crystal system: Biogenic aggregate
Lustre: waxy
Transparency: opaque
Streak: White
Cleavage: Not applicable
Fracture: Splintery to uneven
Specific gravity: 2.60-2.70
Refractive index: Variable; spot values often near 1.53
Optical phenomena: None typically diagnostic
Colour range: Pink, salmon, peach tones
Common inclusions: Growth features, fractures, and matrix/inclusion structures as applicable
Geological environment: Species-dependent; see formation process
Principal mining regions: Marine coral sources and processing centers
Important commercial sources: Pink coral in trade can be natural color or enhanced; legal and treatment disclosure is essential
Historical significance: Recognized in modern gem and mineral trade contexts.
Common treatments: Dyeing, stabilization, and impregnation are common.
Synthetic or imitation forms: Imitations may exist depending on material category.
Common look-alikes: Species-dependent look-alikes in trade.
Jewellery uses: Used in beads, carvings, and traditional jewellery forms.
Care recommendations: Pink Coral should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 3.5 in the Biogenic aggregate system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Protect cleavage directions from sharp knocks during wear and setting.
Cross-check profile data with GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat entry for Pink Coral.
Formation
Biogenic coral skeleton growth in marine environments; colour may be natural or treatment-enhanced in trade.
Origin
Pink coral in trade can be natural color or enhanced; legal and treatment disclosure is essential
Uses
Best for: Used in beads, carvings, and traditional jewellery forms.
Ideal uses: Occasional wear and protected settings.
Care
Pink Coral should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 3.5 in the Biogenic aggregate system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Protect cleavage directions from sharp knocks during wear and setting.
Need another candidate? Use advanced gemstone search or return to the identification guide.
Related gemstones by colour
Related gemstones by hardness
Commonly confused gemstones
Pink Coral FAQ
How can I identify Pink Coral?
Compare hardness (3.5 Mohs), crystal system (Biogenic aggregate), colour profile, and lustre (waxy) with your sample. Then cross-check related gemstones listed above.
What colour range does Pink Coral appear in?
Pink to salmon coral used in beads and carved jewelry items.
Where is Pink Coral commonly used?
Occasional wear and protected settings.. For maintenance, follow the care guidance in this profile.
Scientific References
GIA: general gemstone identity (reviewed) - Batch 07 factual verification pass.
Gem-A: gemological terminology and testing references (reviewed) - Batch 07 factual verification pass.
Mindat: mineral species and principal localities (reviewed) - Batch 07 factual verification pass.
International Gem Society: gem trade context and treatment overview (reviewed) - Batch 07 factual verification pass.