Quarreling Over Red and Pink Coral

A note before you read this article.  Most affordable "Red and Pink" coral jewelry on the market today is actually white coral dyed red or pink.  These jewelry pieces are a hazard to white clothing.   The color rubs off, especially if they get wet from high humidity or sweat.  Sterling Canyon sells few pieces of coral; none in the red or pink variety.


Doha, Qatar--A measure that would have granted trade protection to red and pink corals (Coralliidae) used in jewelry and home décor failed to garner enough votes to pass at an international endangered species convention held Sunday in Doha, Qatar.

According to a news release from ocean conservation organization SeaWeb, the vote to protect red and pink coral failed to receive the necessary two-thirds majority at the 15th Conference of Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Sixty-four countries voted in favor of protection, 59 against it and 10 abstained.

SeaWeb had called on governments to protect Coralliidae under Appendix II of CITES, which would have required countries wishing to export these species to prove that trade is not harming their continued survival.

SeaWeb created the Too Precious to Wear campaign, which calls on jewelers and designers to refuse to use or purchase red or pink coral until sound management is in place and populations of the long-lived, slow-growing species have recovered, the release states.

Industry supporters of Too Precious to Wear and the vote to protect coral include Tiffany and Co. and designer Temple St. Clair, among others.

In the release, SeaWeb called the decision on Appendix II, “a major step backward for the long-term survival of red and pink coral and the industries that depend on them," and noted that intensive lobbying by coral industry interests occurred in the days leading up to the vote.

The United States and European Union, which put forward the proposal, have the opportunity to bring the issue back to a plenary vote on Thursday, but it's unclear if this will happen, the release states.

"Coralliidae are in desperate need for a mechanism that controls the immense trade in these species," Kristian Teleki, vice president of science initiatives for SeaWeb, said in the release. "CITES could have provided that but [Sunday] the representatives failed to heed the science showing these populations are in steep decline. It is now up to the jewelry and design industries and their customers to act where governments have failed."

According to the release, red and pink coral are among the world's most valuable wildlife commodities but have been intensively fished for centuries to meet consumer demand for jewelry and curios. The United States alone imported 28 million pieces of red and pink coral between 2001 and 2008.

Coralliidae grow less than one millimeter a year and can live to be more than 100 years old. Research shows that for populations to be sustained, they shouldn't be fished until they are 98 years old. But current practice is to remove colonies at seven to 10 years of age, the release states.

More than 30 to 50 metric tons of Coralliidae is taken from the ocean each year. But unlike other coral species in trade, this one receives no international trade protection.

Bidz.com in Hot Water

Culver City, Calif.--Online jewelry retailer Bidz.com announced that it has settled a lawsuit with a consumer who claimed the company misrepresented the value of its merchandise.

In a statement, the company's chief executive officer said the company believes the claims made in the suit filed by Marla Tidenberg were false, but that it was decided that it was in the company's best interests to settle. The lawsuit alleged, among other things, that the company engaged in unfair business practices by misrepresenting the value of its merchandise and by "false" or shill bidding, the Bidz release stated.

"We are pleased to put this chapter behind us and continue to focus on our business," said David Zinberg, Bidz.com chairman and CEO. "As this case demonstrates, we were determined to litigate this case to a verdict, recover our costs and have the court vindicate us, but, in view of the de minimus settlement amount, it was in the company's best interests to settle. We always maintained that the claims were entirely without merit and the outcome is a victory for both Bidz and its stockholders."

Plaintiffs usually settle out of court rather than take a chance they might lose the case.  My wife prefers stcanyon.com for her jewelry shopping.

The oscar Watch Dog Report

 I'm going back to the 2009 Academy Awards celebration for a lesson taught by the wonderful Amy Adams.  Amy is wearing a Fred Leighton vintage 1950s bib style necklace. Different sizes of Turquoise, Amethyst, and Aventurine gemstones, with diamond thrown in, were connected in spider web formation. This necklace stands alone, no other jewelry was needed. Earrings would have been overpowering.  Necklaces containing these individual gemstones can be purchased at www.stcanyon.com.                       

The Oscar Watchdog Report

The costume designer for the film The Blind Side has it correct here with Sandra Bullock and what she is wearing.  I doubt the designer is up for an Oscar for what has come to be common sense dressing.  Here we have Sandra and a very large football player.  I haven't seen all of the movie yet but I think he is her adopted son.  The interaction between the large boy and the rather petite Sandra is unmistakable.  That is not a visual relationship one would want to mess with.  Which leads us to the article hanging around Sandra's neck.  The silver cross is unimposing and is worn throughout most of the film.  The idea is that the jewelry shouldn't be distractive in the seen.  The focus here is on Sandra's face, not her necklace.  Imagine having some big hunk gemstone necklace.  Your eyes would be locked on that rather than Sandra's facial expressions.  Sterling Canyon suggests caring for your Sterling Silver by cleaning with a clean cloth after every use.  The oils from the skin can accelerate the tarnishing of the item over several years if not cleaned regularly.  Never use soap or other cleansers.  Check out the Sterling Silver collection only at Sterling Canyon.

The oscar Watch Dog Report

Here we have Meryl Streep playing Julia Child in the film Julie and Julia.  Usually Julia is shown cooking over a hot pot and like here frosting a cake.  And what is so charming and yet amusing is the outfit she is wearing.  Granted this is the 1950's and 60's.  She is always seen wearing a Pearl necklace.  Remember June Cleaver, always wearing a set of Pearls, even when she was vacuuming the carpet.  Pearls were the fashion back then and still are.  Not the mainstay today as they were 50 years ago but still quite fashionable.  Now think about where Julia Child is in the world.  She attended cooking school in France and lived with her husband in Paris.  China was not a major supplier of Pearls at that time.  Polynesia was a main supplier of Pearls.  France was a protectorate of Polynesia.  The Pearls of Julia Child living in France were most likely a product of French Polynesia.  A highly prized product of today.  Most likely not farmed Pearls but possibly Okoya Pearls.  Today some of the most valued Pearls are Okoya.  Very large, beautiful round Pearls and cannot be found at your local JC Penney's.  My point is that cooking while wearing such highly prized Pearls is very risky.  Steam and food particles can accumulate on the Pearls and string and, well you get the gist of my message.  Two points here.  First, don't cook with Okoya Pearls hanging around your neck.  Second, clean your pearls with a clean cloth only.  If extremely soiled, take them to a professional jeweler.  Don't wash them in harsh detergent or spray them with Windex.  You don't need that kind of shine.  Shop for all your Pearl needs at stcanyon.com.  You'll look beautiful even if you are a lousy cook. 

The Oscar Watchdog Report

 

What will the fashion be for the Academy Awards in one week?  This seeing eye dog predicts the range of turqouise and blue to reflect that of warm waters and calm seas.  Yellow will also be popular with the ladies to usher in a warm and carrying spring.  Yellow was popular at the Golden Globes this year, not as a reflection of the award's name, but because of the spring fashion sense for 2010.  To complement these colors, look for a lot of Sterling Silver.  Particularly with the yellow shades, look for a colored stone accent such as black onyx or blue sapphire.  For blue dresses, look for black onyx again or Sterling Silver with diamonds.  Sterling Silver and Onyx are always a popular choice with Sterling Canyon at stcanyon.com

 

The Oscar Watchdog Report

 

The first of several reports on fashion and bangles at the upcoming Academy
Awards on Sunday March 7th.  Jennifer Aniston last year wore a beautiful black dress on the red carpet with double pearl necklace, and no doubt matching earrings under her hair.  The envious will wonder where they can grab a necklace like Jennifer's.  Sterling Canyon carries a wonderful selection of Pearl and Sterling Silver jewelry.  A designer that Sterling Canyon represents also supplies the stars.  Matching or similar bangles and baubles may be had at the on-line store.  Happy Awards watching!