You wouldn't buy ivory - so why are you buying coral jewelery?

Both type of frequently used coral species belong to the "sea fans" or gorgoanians, particularly those of a taxonomic group called Melithaeida (Octocorallia). They are slow growing animals that are made up of tiny little coral polyps that share the amazing seafan architecture. During the polyps of often retracted, but at night the polyps extend (which gives the coral colony a fuzzy white appearance) to catch tiny plankton organisms as food from the water. Mean growth rates in this family range from 2.9 to 11.4 mm year (Developments in Hydrobiology, 2004, Volume 178, Part VI, 389-397), which means that by the time these colonies are suitable for harvest they are at least 20 years old. How can anybody argue that these are fast-growing species which justifies their harvest?

It is no wonder that many of the corals harvested come from countries like the Philippines, Thailand, The Solomon Island or Vanuatu where environmental protection or enforcement is minimal. Are you really surprised we are not seeing coral beads produced from gorgonians growing in the Florida Keys? Of course not, because gorgonians numbers there are greatly reduced because of low water quality and the associated disease outbreaks and climate change induced coral bleaching. Thus international collectors are often meeting their needs from reefs of developing countries. Before you consider buying coral jewelry made from bamboo or sponge coral think twice, because you will be contributing to the further destruction of reefs, which are already under many threats. There are a great number of alternatives offered by jewelry designers, such as fake coral beads, statement jewelry using other materials altogether (www.uniquedesignerjewellery.com).