BLACK CORAL - An Endangered Species !

Black corals (Antipatharia) are a group of deep water, tree-like corals related to sea anemones. Although the most famous are found near Hawaii, they are also found in rare dark shallow water areas such as New Zealand's Milford Sound where they can be viewed from an underwater observatory. They normally occur in the tropics and some have ben found in the Caribbean. Though black coral's living tissue is brilliantly colored, it takes its name from the distinctive black or dark brown color of its skeleton. Also unique to black coral are the tiny spines that cover the surface of the skeleton, the origin of the nickname little thorn coral. In the Hawaiian language, black coral is called ‘ēkaha kū moana. Black coral is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The Black Coral which grows in Hawaii's offshore waters was adopted as Hawaii's official state gemstone on April 22, 1987. Since its discovery by early Hawaiian divers, harvesting of the spectacular corals has led to the establishment of a thriving Black Coral jewelry industry and enhanced visitor and resident appreciation of Hawaii's ocean resources.

Hawaii's state gem was promoted by scuba divers, perhaps supported by the local jewelry trade. Surprisingly, the Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in favor of its adoption. Coral’s richly colored branches are living gems formed deep beneath the ocean. These precious corals polish to a gorgeous luster and have been used as gemstones dating as far back as 25,000 years—longer than pearls. Each coral gemstone color has its own distinct quality. Black Coral is exotic and dramatic and has long been considered to guard against misfortune. Pink Coral is delicate and is said to bring good health. Red Coral is best described as rich and romantic. And Gold Coral with its mysterious inner light, is the rarest of all corals.

The first new Black Coral bed found in centuries outside of Caribbean waters was discovered in the waters off Lahaina, Maui in 1958. Today, Hawaiian Black Coral -- the world's finest -- is carefully collected by hand by divers at depths that exceed 200 feet. To ensure the future of Hawaiian Black Coral, divers must strictly adhere to state regulations that prohibit the harvesting of immature colonies. Harvesting of Black Coral is prohibited in most locations in the world.

Black Coral is rare and, when polished, it shines with such luster you can almost see your own reflection in it. Its stunning contrast against yellow gold makes it a wonderful gift as well as a beautiful keepsake to treasure forever. Black Coral gives one a perfect reminder of a trip to the Islands.

As with many gemstones today, be careful that what is being bought is genuine Black Coral and not faux, plastics or other imitations that abound, especially in the Caribbean.

Jewelry Set - Summr Sparkle !

A Summer day can end with a beautiful red sunset and at the same time have the white of lights and stars combine in a burst of color.

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SOLD This necklace is constructed wth a white Agate center stone with red Carnelian discs and white carved Coral enhanced with silver melon accents ad crystals. This 18 inch necklace is finished with a silver Toggle clasp. Matching French Hook earrings complete the set.

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Carnelian (also spelled cornelian) is a brownish-red mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. Similar to Carnelian is Sard, which is generally harder and darker. The difference is not rigidly defined, and the two names are often used interchangeably. Both Crnelian and Sard are varieties of the silica mineral Chalcedony colored by impurities of iron oxide. The color can vary greatly, ranging from pale orange to an intense almost-black coloration. Extensive beds of Carnelian are found at Rajpipa in State of Gujarat in India and have been dug since at least about 1500 to provide raw material for the region's extensive lapidary industry.

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White Agate more commonly referred to as Greek agate is a name given to pale white to light tan colored agate found in Sicily dating back to 400 B.C. The Greeks used it for making jewelry and beads. Even though the stone had been around for centuries and was known to both the Sumerians and the Egyptians, both who used the gem for decoration and for playing important parts in their religious ceremonies, any agate of this white color from Sicily, once an ancient Greek colony, is called Greek Agate.

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Corals are marine organisms typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps. The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans, which secret calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton. Coral tissues become colorless as they reveal the white of their calcium carbonate skeletons, an event known as coral bleaching and most corals are found in the white form. Other colorations also exist depending on chemicals and algie in the water in which they grew. Corals are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Scientists have predicted that over 50% of the world's coral reefsmay be destroyed by 2030; and as a result most nations protect them through environmental laws, especially the black corals. To overcome the shortages for jewelry and other ornamental uses, coral farms are now being developed and used for non-ocenaic purposes.

Additional info ----- Currently many species of Corals, especially reef building varities, are being considered "endangered" and are under consideration for banning for use in jewelry and other decorative uses, following in the footsteps of Ivory. Sponge Coral, however, is not on the endangered species list, plus it is a sustainable product. Sponge Coral is a farmed product and thus is not removed from the Coral Reef and does not cause the environmental damage associated with traditional corals.

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Crystals were also used in this set.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Variation on a Design !

As much as possible the majority of my designs are One-Of-A-Kind unless a customer asks specifically for a design to be redone with different gemstones or materials. This time because of the uniqueness of the materials envolved, here is a redesign which is similar to an earlier one.
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This design still incorporates four very different textures: ceramic, cut coral, polished gemstones and metalic silver plate. Grey Ceramic Axe-shapped Beads are the focal point of the necklace, highlighted by Red Sponge Coral rondels, faceted Black Agate (onyx) beads and silver plated accent pieces with silver toggle clasp.
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The necklace is complemented with a pair of French Hook silver earrings containing matching Red Sponge Coral rondels and Silver highlight bead caps.

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Corals are marine organisms typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans, which secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton which is used in the production of jewelry.

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Black Agate (Onyx) which is truely a died black Agate, is more common and perhaps the most famous variety, but not as common as natural Onyx. Onyx is a crypyocrystalline form of Quartz. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color (save some shades, such as purple or blue). Specimens of Onyx contain bands of colors of white, tan, and brown. As stated, the pure black form which most people know as Onyx, is not a naturally occuring variety. Black Agate or poorly colored Onyx is heated and dyed black to come up with the pure black form so well liked within the jewelry industry.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Go For The Look !

Many times using the colors from a highlight bead or pendant brings a necklace together as a single unit.

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This gemstone set uses a striped Sardonyx gemstone which was end drilled as the highlight of the necklace. Polished Coral rounds combines with Carnelian discs and rounds with silver highlights and toggle clasp complete the necklace. French hook earrings using the Carnelian rounds and disks with silver highlights complete the set.

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Sardonyx is a variant of Onyx or Agate in which the colored bands are Sard in shades of red rather than black. Pure black Onyx, which is truely a died black Agate, is more common and perhaps the most famous variety, but not as common as natural Onyx with its banded colors of browns, whites and black.

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Carnelian (also spelled cornelian) is a reddish-brown mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. Similar to Carnelian is Sard, which is generally harder and darker. The difference between the two is not rigidly defined, and thus the two names are often used interchangeably. Both Carnelian and Sard are varieties of the silica mineral called Chalcedony and are colored red by impurities of iron oxide. The color can vary greatly, ranging from pale orange to an intense almost-black coloration.

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Corals are marine organisms typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans, which secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton which is used in the production of jewelry.

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Gemstone Jewelry - combining textures !

Many times the use of various materials that have varying textures come together and provide a striking contract which makes a stand-out jewelry piece.

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This design incorporates four very different textures: ceramic, cut coral, polished gemstones and metalic silver plate. Grey Ceramic Axe-shapped Beads are the focal point of the necklace, highlighted by Red Sponge Coral rondels, faceted Black Agate (onyx) beads and silver plated acent pieces with silver toggle clasp.

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The necklace is complemented with a pair of French Hook silver earrings containing matching Red Sponge Coral rondels and Silver highlight bead caps.

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The necklace is 18 inches long.

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This piece and others will be available at the upcoming Fall Jewelry and Craft Shows in the San Antonio area.

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Jewelry Coral set to make Endangered Species List !

JEWELRY CORAL (CORALLIUM) LOOKS SET TO MAKE THE 'CITES' LIST OF ENDANGERED SPECIES NEXT MARCH.

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Having just escaped addition to the infamous Appendix II list of endangered species in 2007, jewelry coral will almost certainly be cited as protection-worthy by CITES in early 2010 when the group meets again. On October 8th, the U.S. and the E.U. jointly announced their intention to seek trade protection for red and pink coral at the upcoming March meeting of CITES—a 178-nation consortium that monitors some 30,000 maritime flora and fauna for the purposes of preserving them.
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This startling announcement gives heightened importance to the “Coral: Symbol, Substance and Significance” conference being held Thursday-Saturday, October 29-31, 2009, at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Organized by Lisa Koenigsberg, president of Initiatives in Art and Culture, the gathering will bring together all stakeholders in the explosive debate over jewelry coral management and use. Among those making presentations: Michael Kowalski, chairman of Tiffany’s; designer Stephen Dweck; artist Michelle Oka Doner; fashion forecaster David Doneger; and museum curators, jewelry historians and representatives from several coral growing regions and wildlife monitoring groups.

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Reprint from Colored Stone Magazine

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