Bert Knubben's Koral Art Gallery launches new "safe" jewelry line

Dec. 12, 2009 - PRLog -- No frequent traveler will be a stranger to the fact that some souvenirs may not be taken back to his or her home country. For instance several types of coral have been banned by countries that have signed the CITES-treaty (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora). This is mostly the case for European and United States citizens.

The Koral Art Gallery has created jewelry from a shell that goes by the Latin name "Cittarium Pica" also known as "West Indian Top Shell". This shell has a thick mother of pearl interior and is therefore suitable for creation of jewelry such as necklaces, pendants, earrings and rings. This shell is not listed on any CITES list.

According to Bert Knubben the customer response has been quite positive. Bert Knubben says: "Customers from Europe for instance are always wary to buy jewelry from us because they are sometimes being warned not to take any coral souvenirs home". BertKnubben continues: "Whilst understanding that unwary tourists need to be informed, only items that have been placed on the CITES lists of that particular country are not allowed through". Of course some countries have banned the import and export of Cittarium Pica altogether such as the island of Bermuda.

Bert Knubben and his wife Fennie van Noordt run the Koral Art Gallery on the beach of the Breezes Superclub on Curacao and have been making coral jewelry since 1967.

Contact:
F. van Noordt
Koral Art Gallery
Dr. M.L. King Blvd.
Willemstad, Curacao
Netherlands Antilles
Phone: +5999-4652122
http://www.koralart.com
info@koralart.com

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Bert Knubben (Diver, Artisan) and Fennie van Noordt (Marketing and Sales) run the Koral Art Gallery on the beach near the Breezes Resort on the island of Curacao. The Koral Art Gallery makes and sells coral jewelry since 1967.