Photo by Dennis Irorere at UnSplash
Photo by Dennis Irorere at UnSplash
Photo by Francesco Ungaro at Pexels
Coral has been found off the Hawaiian Islands, in the Mediterranean Sea, Cape Verde Islands, Japan, Portugal, and Taiwan. Coral ranges in colors from red, pink, orange and black.
Some of the most valuable coral is the red branchy coral.
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Coral was used in ancient Egyptian burial sites. In Tibet Coral was found in jewelry dating back to the 17th century. In the 1800-1900's Coral's popularity spread throughout Italy and was considered high in value and used in the finest jewelry.
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After many years of coral mining the reefs became stripped, climate change and pollution also had a great impact on coral growth, the coral reefs around the world have started to die off. Coral itself used in jewelry is actually not an actual living specimen, it is the carbonate secretions of the living specimen. In order for this specimen to thrive it relies on the carbonate secretion. Today there are many parts of the world that are actively trying to protect coral reefs. In Hawaii, many beaches have activists making sure people do not walk on the coral, and even require certain suntan lotions not to be worn in the ocean that can have a negative impact on the coral's environment.
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Tiffany & Company was known in the Victorian era for its fine carved coral jewelry and beads. Today they are part of the coral conservation community and have donated millions to protect coral reefs around the world.
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* Rare Bead Treasure's also is for the conservation of coral reefs. All Coral sold on Rare Bead Treasures is antique and not coming from our Ocean today.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP SAVE THE REEFS
There are several organizations and initiatives dedicated to propagating and conserving coral reefs around the world. Some of these organizations work on coral propagation, restoration, research, and education. As of my last update in January 2022, here are a few notable ones:
The Coral Restoration Foundation: Based in Florida, USA, this organization is dedicated to restoring coral reefs, educating others on the importance of reefs, and using science to further coral research and coral reef monitoring techniques.
Website: coralrestoration.org
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The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental organization that works on various conservation initiatives, including coral reef restoration. They engage in projects aimed at restoring and protecting coral reefs in different parts of the world.
Website: nature.org
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Reef Resilience Network: This is a collaborative effort led by The Nature Conservancy, aimed at building the resilience of coral reefs. They provide resources, tools, and training for coral reef managers and practitioners worldwide to support effective reef conservation and restoration efforts.
Website: reefresilience.org
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Coral Vita: Coral Vita is a commercial coral farming company that focuses on growing resilient corals to restore dying reefs. They use innovative techniques to accelerate coral growth and enhance the health of coral populations.
Website: coralvita.co
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SECORE International: SECORE (Sexual Coral Reproduction) is a global network of scientists, public aquarium professionals, and local stakeholders dedicated to coral reef conservation through the restoration of sexually produced corals. They work on coral sexual reproduction techniques to help increase genetic diversity among coral populations.
Website: secore.org
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Please note that the status and focus of organizations may have evolved since my last update in January 2022, so it's a good idea to visit their respective websites or social media channels for the most recent information on their activities and initiatives related to coral propagation and conservation.
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