Coral/Spiny Oyster/14k gold necklase (untreated natural)

[soberguy]

Here is the new necklace I made using untreated coral, and untreated spiny oyster. The color is so vivid and rich! Hope to make a bracelet and ring or earrings to match!

I will add several link made with rather large pieces of untreated red coral, but I need to have them drilled and polished first! Just so excited to see it I had to take a picture!

Any advice you all could give me regarding other stones I could add, etc would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Indylady]

Very cool! I think it looks great as is, I don''t think I''d add any gems to it.

 

[Indylady]

Very cool! I think it looks great as is, I don''t think I''d add any gems to it.

 

[soberguy]

thanks lol! started on the bracelet, have a few more links to do. Should be done tomorrow. Any ideas on where to send "raw" coral for drilling/polish???

 

[ma re]

Can''t say I ever saw this particular combination, looks pretty!

 

[chrono]

You have a good eye for design!

 

[soberguy]

Thanks! Hoping to have the bracelet done today!

 

[Arkteia]

Wow, wow and wow! Great job, a masterpiece. Congratulations.

 

[soberguy]

thanks again! here is the bracelet. Hard to remember when you''re creating things like this that they have to be wearable. Good clasps, easy to use etc...

 

[Nacre]

Hi Soberguy,

I would like to say first of all that what a great job you have done designing these pieces. Artistically, they are beautiful.

The use of coral, however, concerns me. This kind of coral is usually harvested by destroying the environment it comes from, ie, blowing up coral reefs with dynamite.

I am aware that a lot of gemstones are mined and cut unethically, and mining is destructive to the environment they come from, but please consider and be mindful of the sustainability of your organic gemstones and I would stress to use an alternative to this particular coral.

If this coral has been re-made from a vintage piece of jewellery I would understand as it was a popular organic in the 70''s before the environmental impact of the harvesting of it was realised.

 

[soberguy]

The environmental sustainability of anything is unsound. Driving a car, taking a shower... using sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds that people are murdered for in cold blood. Have you seen a gold mine in which acid is used? It strips the soil completely. Do you wear gold? Not to mention the coal used to power the electric plant that provided you with enough electricity to run your computer. Although I appreciate your opinion, I do not think my thread is the most appropriate way for you to voice it. Have you mentioned this in any other thread on this site, or was it just mine you would like to hijack with your political statement?

 

[Nacre]

I did not mean to offend you, nor am I trying to make a political statement.

I am merely suggesting that designers and consumers could be mindful about the environmental impact of using certain organics, like endangered red coral and ivory.

Here is an article outlining some of the debated issues regarding red coral and the harvesting techniques used.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-06-09-1481651792_x.htm

 

[soberguy]

I appreciate what your saying, truly. However... I believe that if you''re going to suggest someone be mindful, you should suggest all be mindful. Not just of coral... or of pearls (I have learned after recently purchasing a very old bracelet with 7 natural, not cultured pearls how destructive that farming technique was), or other organics, but of all the things we use. Now I''m not sure I should post the pendant I used the pearls on...

 

[movie zombie]

i love the combo but was also concerned re the coral: i thought it was now illegal in the US?

if one is going to be mindful of the environment and other political issues, i shouldn''t be wearing gold and many would be without diamonds....not to mention rubies and sapphires from certain locals. the list would be endless.

the world of gems and ores has never been w/o political and/or environmental issues.

mz

 

[chrono]

Is it illegal? If so, why do I see coral jewellery still for sale online (these are real, not synthetic or plastic)? Or does it only apply to a specific type of coral?

 

[DistinctionJewelry]

It is not illegal. It was almost given a CITES status that would have made importation illegal recently, but that was shot down.

There''s a fine line to be walked with jewelry ethics. I personally don''t use coral unless it''s from an old vintage piece.

FYI - while gold mining is very destructive, there is a TON on recycled, re-refined gold out there. Hoover and Strong sells all recycled precious metals, and most of Stuller''s gold and silver is recycled.

 

[virgoruby]

Date: 5/6/2010 1:08:37 PM
Author: DistinctionJewelry
It is not illegal. It was almost given a CITES status that would have made importation illegal recently, but that was shot down.


There''s a fine line to be walked with jewelry ethics. I personally don''t use coral unless it''s from an old vintage piece.

Jessi, I am not 100% sure, but wasn''t the US/EU proposal to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) calling for tighter regulations on the coral trade (through strict permit system), and NOT an outright ban? In any case, as you have pointed out, the proposal was rejected at the recent CITES meeting..

I must confess that I was blissfully unaware of the controversy over the coral trade until recently, when I purchased a coral ring, and started researching re its possible species, origin, quality etc. - that''s when I found out that the recent over-harvesting of corals, coupled with their slow growth rate (it takes hundreds of years to grow) have been putting huge pressure on the marine environment. (N.B. of course pollution and climate change are the other major causes of the destruction of marine ecosystems). Whilst I love my coral ring, I would probably hesitate to buy another coral jewellery, unless I am sure that the corals used in the jewellery are harvested in a sustainable manner.

I think it''s important that people are made aware of the issues surrounding the coral trade, so that he/she can make informed decisions.
However, I am really sorry for using your thread to express my opinion on this issue, Soberguy.. Anyway, I really think your pieces are lovely!

 

[Stone Hunter]

I don''t do politics...but I think the necklace and bracelet are very nicely done. Congrats on your design skills.