Too Precious to Wear

Too Precious to Wear is a campaign created by SeaWeb, a nonprofit organization, to promote coral conservation. 

Populations of red and pink corals, prized in jewelry making, are in steep decline. Annual harvests have declined by 90% and more.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will meet next month (March 2010). The United States and Sweden, on behalf of the European Union, are proposing that the entire family of red and pink corals be listed under Appendix II of CITES. Appendix II monitors trade to ensure species survival.

Joining in support of this proposal are SeaWeb, WWF International, The Pew Environment Group, and Oceana, as well as independent jewelers including Celine Cousteau, Frank Gehry, Hayden-Harnett, Nicole Miller, Paloma Picasso, Temple St. Clair, Tibi, Tiffany & Co., and Vena Cava.

You can support the campaign by signing the pledge at Seaweb.