Coral in 18K by Sam Patania
I was contacted by a group called Too Precious To Wear who is trying to raise consciousness in the jewelry industry about saving coral. I have been watching the laws changing about the use of coral for some time. I found inconsistent information is all over the place. One set of information says that if I can be provided with documentation of the origin of the coral I would be alright in purchasing it. The documentation must be from a reputable coral dealer who buys legally harvested coral. The problem is what kind of documentation is necessary. Is an invoice good enough? who decides if my supplier has purchased and imported legally harvested coral? Game and Fish from each state has different ideas and the Feds have their own set of ideas.
I have a feeling that someone will be held up as an example and be prosecuted by what ever governmental body feels they want to. All it would take is a couple high profile prosecutions to stop coral from being used.
I have understood for a long time that the ocean’s coral reefs were being damaged which is cutting our own throats. Just like oil, how long do we humans think we can abuse this planet and continue to enjoy it? Money talks and if legally harvested coral is still allowed to be sold internationally then illegally harvested coral will blend in with the legal supply. I can see the complete ban of the sale of coral just like elephant ivory or tortoise shell being the only solution. Those bans, as far as I can tell, actually work. Someone would have to be a fool to use either of those materials for legal and moral reasons.
I told Too Precious To Wear that I would not purchase any more coral. I would use the stock my family has and when that runs out that will be the end of me using coral. I hate to say that, I know , right now, very well priced beautiful coral available. Damn. What temptation. Oh, well,now that I have publicly said what I just said I’m stuck and I know it. I have thought allot about these statements and will abide by them. Some money is too expensive to own.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Michael Johnson 01.14.09 at 11:32 am
The other problem is back stocks from years ago. My supplier has many twigs that he doesn’t even know where it came from or when, but he has had them for several decades. He would have a problem documenting these as well.
I am afraid that you are right. A total ban is the only way to stop it and make it work.
Gasoline does more damage to the environment. I wonder how long till we ban that :o)
Helen Hill 01.15.09 at 4:49 am
One consolation is that at least your designs and those of your father and grandfather will be around for years to come as they are enjoyed and collected by a number of people. The coral pieces in particular will be treasured if there are to be no more of them.
Helen Hill
Jerry Fowler 01.16.09 at 9:13 pm
I have a chunk of ivory from 1976 just sitting in my tool drawer. Will not be able to do anything with it and now it is coral. I just got some very nice blue coral cabs. I guess that I will use them up and buy no more. Next thing you know it will be rocks of any kind because some soil was moved to get them. I guess that we will all have to make do with alluvial stones that are visually on the surface. I suppose I shouldn’t complain too much but I wish the rest of the world would care too and enforce some laws.