Black Coral / Bert Knubben

[porky113]

Has anyone purchased Black Coral Jewlery from Bert Knubben at the Breeze Hotel.

Was it expensive & was it nice? Is it unique?

Trying to decide between Diamonds or a nice piece of Black Coral.

[vinnyvin]

Yes indeed! Lovely jewelry! Bought in their shop and online http://www.koralart.com

 

Vincent

[fergusonjlf]

Please keep in mind that harvesting Black Coral has a detrimental effect on the coral reef. It's rare and becoming harder and harder to find because of the lure of Black Coral jewelry.

 

From http://www.coral.org/resources/issue_briefs/mining_and_harvesting:

 

There is strong international concern that some coral reef species are threatened or may become threatened through trade. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the main instrument to monitor and regulate the international trade of wildlife. Reef species listed under CITES include 2,000 species of hard corals, black coral, giant clams, queen conch, seahorses and sea turtles. Its mandate is to protect species from overexploitation from international trade.

[vinnyvin]

Bert informed me that only dead branches are collected for as much Black Coral is concerned.

 

The other corals usually are are washed ashore after a tropical storm.

 

(The storm Omar destroyed around 70% of the corals at around 30ft.)

 

I also read on their website that they had success planting new black coral branches underwater.