How to Identify Original Red Coral Gemstone

Red Coral also known as Moonga, Praval Mani, Raktaprabal, Pagadam, and Pavalam, is a powerful astrological gemstone in Vedic astrology believed to boost courage and confidence. Due to its high demand for astrology and jewelry, the market is filled with fake, dyed, and synthetic stones. If you plan to buy a natural Red Coral gemstone, it is essential to know how to identify an original stone and avoid treated or imitation pieces. This guide will help you understand how to check real vs fake Red Coral, key buying tips, price factors, and the importance of certification. Also Read: Astrological Benefits Of Red Coral Stone (Moonga)

What Is Red Coral (Moonga Stone)?

Red Coral is an organic gemstone formed from the skeletons of marine coral polyps found deep under the sea. Unlike other gemstones that are mined from the earth, natural Red Coral stone comes from oceanic sources, mainly:

• Italy (Mediterranean Red Coral)
• Japan
• Taiwan
• Algeria

In astrology, Red Coral is worn to strengthen Mars in the birth chart and is commonly recommended for Aries and Scorpio zodiac signs.

Why Is There So Much Fake Red Coral in the Market?

Due to the increasing demand for original Moonga stone for Mars benefits, many sellers offer:

• Dyed bamboo coral
• Plastic or resin imitation coral
• Glass-filled coral
• Synthetic Red Coral

These fake stones look similar but do not provide the same astrological or spiritual effects as a certified natural Red Coral gemstone.

How to Identify Original Red Coral Gemstone

Below are practical and reliable methods to identify a real Red Coral stone:

1. Check the Surface Texture

An original Red Coral has a smooth but slightly natural texture. Under magnification, you may notice:

• Natural grain patterns
• Small internal lines
• Tiny natural inclusions

Fake coral often looks too perfect, glossy, or completely uniform without natural marks.

2. Look at the Color Carefully

A genuine Red Coral gemstone usually has:

• Deep red
• Orange-red
• Blood-red shade

The color should look natural and evenly distributed. If the stone looks extremely bright, overly shiny, or artificially red, it may be dyed or synthetic.

3. Perform the Milk Test (Basic Home Test)

One common home test for real Moonga stone is the milk test:

• For this, you should first place the coral stone inside a glass filled with milk.
• If the milk slightly changes tint around the stone, it may indicate natural properties.

However, this is not a fully reliable scientific test and should not replace lab certification.

4. Check for Uniform Shape and Cut

Original Red Coral stones used for astrology are usually:

• Oval cabochon cut
• Smooth and polished
• Not faceted like diamonds

If the coral is faceted or looks like colored glass, it is likely fake.

5. Weight and Density Check

Natural Red Coral has a specific density and feels slightly heavier than plastic or resin imitations. Fake coral made from plastic will feel lighter.

However, this test requires experience and comparison with a certified stone.

6. Ask for a Lab Certification

The most trusted and reliable way to identify an original Red Coral gemstone is through a gemological lab certificate. There are many prestigious gemstone labs, such as IGI, GJEPC, IIGJ, and GSI, that certify the authenticity of the gemstone through various lab tests. Therefore, the buyers are advised to ensure:

• The stone is lab-certified
• On the certificate it should be mentioned as natural and untreated
• No dye or synthetic treatment is declared
• Carat weight is clearly specified

A certified Red Coral stone guarantees authenticity and better astrological effectiveness.

Real vs Fake Red Coral: Key Differences

Below we have made a table which explains the key differences between the Fake and Real Red Coral gemstone:

Feature	Original Red Coral	Fake/Synthetic Coral
Color	Natural deep red or orange-red	Too bright or artificial red
Texture	Natural grains & minor inclusions	Completely smooth & flawless
Weight	Slightly heavier	Light (plastic/resin)
Certification	Lab-certified natural	No proper certification

Red Coral Stone Price in India

The Red Coral price per carat in India depends on origin, color, quality, and certification.

Approximate price range:

• Italian Red Coral: ₹5,000 – ₹25,000 per carat
• Japanese Red Coral: ₹4,000 – ₹18,000 per carat
• Commercial quality Moonga: ₹1,000 – ₹4,000 per carat

Premium blood-red coral stones with high polish and no cracks command higher prices.

If the price of the gemstones looks too low compared to market standards, it may indicate a fake or treated stone.

Tips Before Buying Red Coral Online

Many people nowadays buy gemstones from online sources; however, it is very difficult to find a trustworthy gemstone seller online. Therefore, when purchasing Red Coral online, the buyers should keepthe following things in mind:

• You should only buy from a trusted gemstone seller
• You must check customer reviews
• Ask for a government-approved lab certificate
• Confirm return and replacement policy
• Compare prices carefully

Conclusion

Before purchasing a red coral gemstone, it is necessary to check its authenticity. Because many gemstone sellers provide fake or highly treated stones to their customers, these stones don’t provide any kind of astrological benefits to the wearer. Therefore, it must be kept in mind that the genuine Moonga stone possesses a natural texture and colour while meeting lab certification standards. Buyers should always purchase natural and untreated red coral stones from reputable retailers such as RashiRatanBhagya to get certified gemstones. It is India’s leading gemstone and rudraksha company, which provides all kinds of gems at affordable prices. In addition to this, they also provide gemstone recommendations and astrological consultation services.

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