ALL ABOUT BLACK CORAL

Black Coral carving is neither a traditional Cayman art form nor a long-practiced craft; rather it has been invented and become a unique Cayman industry, all in just over three decades .

Coral of one variety or another has been used in jewelry since earliest times. Even Paleolithic man, about 250,000 years ago, is known to have made beads from coral. Men have worked it throughout the ages. The Greeks used it as a symbol of immortality and believed it would protect them against ills and enchantment. Black Coral is found in the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Red Sea. It is found at many depths, but because it is made up of polyps that shun daylight, the best Black Coral is found at depths well in excess of 100 feet. For this reason, Black Coral can be extremely hazardous to obtain and more than one diver has lost his life seeking it. There is a $20,000 fine for removing Black Coral from the territorial waters of Cayman Islands.

Black Coral grows at a slow rate, 1/4" to 1/2" in diameter every 50 years and about 3" in height every 10 years. For divers, a look at a Black Coral tree is always a delight because of its rarity and resemblance to a child's picture book of winter trees. Reef-grown corals can produce a trunk as thick as a woman's wrist, and from this grow limbs and feathery branches. Initially Black Coral isn't really black, but dull grey. It takes hours of tireless polishing to bring out the black, bright, shiny surface.

A good example of the finest grade of Black Coral, designed into the most exquisite original designs, is found at Richard's Gallery located on the harbour in Grand Cayman. All Richard's works are sold with a Certificate of Authenticity and a Lifetime Guarantee.