Black coral is a "soft," deep-water, tree-like coral. It can be found in many different tropical climates, very deep in the ocean. In Jewelry, the most used and sought after part of the coral is what is referred to as the "skeleton." The skeleton of the black coral grows radially only 4 to 35 micrometers per year. As a result of black coral's slow growth, and in many cases it's immense colony-age, it is now protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
(Black Coral as a species is not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so unless trade in specimens of such species is subject to strict regulation in order to avoid utilization incompatible with the survival of the species in the wild.)
The government has come to our store and verified that all of our Black Coral was purchased years ago, before any ban or regulation was in place. Our Black Coral was inherited from the previous store owners. We can not and will not sell our Black Coral stock online. We at The Natural Jewel are very conscious of the environment and will not be purchasing any more Black Coral once our stock is depleted.
You may purchase our handcrafted Black Coral jewelry in person or over the phone at 340-773-3845.