Considered one of the rarest and most valuable semi-precious materials ever used in jewelry, andhe black coral has also become one of the most representative elements of current Cuban jewelry, thanks to the excellent work of its best goldsmiths and a wide range of designs and combinations with other materials., such as: gold, silver and precious stones. Each piece acquires an unparalleled beauty, capable of captivating those who visit this Caribbean island.
Although the use of black coral seems to be a recent trend in jewelry, this marine treasure has been used for thousands of years, always having a semi-precious coral status. The first to use it in amulets It would have been the Romans and the Greeks, since, according to them, it had medicinal and aphrodisiac properties. But, it would be the Greeks who would baptize it with the scientific name «antipathes», which means against diseases. However, other peoples would attribute new qualities such as protection against the evil eye and good luck or simply use it as a symbol of authority.
Something that some people may not know is that the black coral has a branched appearance very similar to that of a plant, but the surprising thing is that it is a living being. Specifically, a colony of organisms capable of reaching 50 centimeters in height and, according to experiments carried out in Cuba, can have a linear growth of 6 centimeters per year. But, given their scarcity, beauty and difficulty of extraction (generally located at a depth between 30 and 60 meters), the jewelry and elaborate objects can have a great value in the international market.
This situation has caused the black coral to be in danger of extinction, which is why it has not only been included in Appendix II of the international treaty convention on species at risk of extinction (CITES for its acronym in English), but has also led the Cuban authorities to implement strict controls to establish annual quotas, with the aim of avoiding excessive exploitation and maintaining the ecological balance.
These measures also seek to guarantee the survival of other marine species, since corals also serve as a habitat for many of them in the ecosystem they inhabit. Currently, one of the most protected areas in Cuba is María la Gorda beach, located in the southeast of the Guanahacabibes peninsula, as it is the place where the largest reserve of black coral is found.
The sea offers us a wide variety of products or materials of great beauty, but it will be up to us to use them rationally, supporting initiatives that seek to protect marine ecosystems. Therefore, when visiting Cuba or other countries in the world, where jewelry made of black coral is sold, our recommendation will be to buy it in stores protected by environmental laws and that are duly certified by CITES; this will be our small contribution to the preservation of this unique species in the world.