April 28, 2012 Greetings from Marquette, Michigan, USA.
I have Black Coral (antipatharia), Hawaii's official state gem, from recent dives in Indonesia. Fifteen specimens were tightly bound with string and covered in Bubble Wrap. I carried them as luggage aboard my flight. Considering the potential for selling these and others in the future, I wanted to subject my dried coral skeletons to hands-on US Customs inspection. No problem with the coral but my avocado was confiscated. As a further test, two pieces were packaged in the same manner and shipped via international post. These arrived in Michigan undamaged within 10 days via USPS.
I have found that hot water will loosen the tightly bound coral branches. To reshape specific branches I apply a light coat of olive oil and then heat the branch with a flame from a cigarette lighter. The subject branch bends to the desired shape. (Freshwater pearls can be attached.)
The smaller of the two samples I've pictured here weighs approximately 2.5 oz. The larger one (ID as #28, photo #1) measures around 21 x 21 inches. Its dimensions can be reduced a bit for shipping and then restored upon receipt as I have done already. I placed a Sell Order on e-Bay when I found a specimen priced at $1200. It showed a bid of $800 and perhaps sold for that. Another seller is asking $165. I am doing a test sell.
Proceeds from my sales of Black Coral will help to support the education and daily needs of four youth, ages 14 - 24 in Indonesia.. Since 1993 I have sponsored the education of ten, some from elementary school through university. One day as I was enjoying a cup of coffee in my favorite cafe, I observed three women carrying 50 kilos of stone in buckets on their heads. A 14 year old boy carried the same 110 lbs on his shoulder. I learned he was working to earn money so he can return to the 8th grade, that his mother died in 2011 and that his father left the area. The boy now lives with others in his village. All of this is happening in his young life and yet he can smile under that weight. Pizun is definitely motivated. He'll be rewarded in the near future. (Kindly visit website: www.musdata.info/musician/william savola)
I return to Indonesia for two months every year (22 times). I have have connections with divers in Indonesia so I can arrange shipment from Indonesia to customers where the importation of Black Coral skeletons is permitted. Live black coral is generally not permitted for export/import. If interested in adding some of these forms of antipatharia to your inventory or representing me and my diver friends and efforts in Indonesia, I'll be happy to work with you.
I have additional photos. Divers can supply your needs and ship direct from Indonesia.. Sincerely, William Savola e-mail: wisavola@hotmail.com
April 28, 2012
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Marquette, Michigan, USA.
I have Black Coral (antipatharia), Hawaii's official state gem, from recent dives in Indonesia. Fifteen specimens were tightly bound with string and covered in Bubble Wrap. I carried them as luggage aboard my flight. Considering the potential for selling these and others in the future, I wanted to subject my dried coral skeletons to hands-on US Customs inspection. No problem with the coral but my avocado was confiscated. As a further test, two pieces were packaged in the same manner and shipped via international post. These arrived in Michigan undamaged within 10 days via USPS.
I have found that hot water will loosen the tightly bound coral branches. To reshape specific branches I apply a light coat of olive oil and then heat the branch with a flame from a cigarette lighter. The subject branch bends to the desired shape. (Freshwater pearls can be attached.)
The smaller of the two samples I've pictured here weighs approximately 2.5 oz. The larger one (ID as #28, photo #1) measures around 21 x 21 inches. Its dimensions can be reduced a bit for shipping and then restored upon receipt as I have done already. I placed a Sell Order on e-Bay when I found a specimen priced at $1200. It showed a bid of $800 and perhaps sold for that. Another seller is asking $165. I am doing a test sell.
Proceeds from my sales of Black Coral will help to support the education and daily needs of four youth, ages 14 - 24 in Indonesia.. Since 1993 I have sponsored the education of ten, some from elementary school through university. One day as I was enjoying a cup of coffee in my favorite cafe, I observed three women carrying 50 kilos of stone in buckets on their heads. A 14 year old boy carried the same 110 lbs on his shoulder. I learned he was working to earn money so he can return to the 8th grade, that his mother died in 2011 and that his father left the area. The boy now lives with others in his village. All of this is happening in his young life and yet he can smile under that weight. Pizun is definitely motivated. He'll be rewarded in the near future.
(Kindly visit website: www.musdata.info/musician/william savola)
I return to Indonesia for two months every year (22 times). I have have connections with divers in Indonesia so I can arrange shipment from Indonesia to customers where the importation of Black Coral skeletons is permitted. Live black coral is generally not permitted for export/import. If interested in adding some of these forms of antipatharia to your inventory or representing me and my diver friends and efforts in Indonesia, I'll be happy to work with you.
I have additional photos. Divers can supply your needs and ship direct from Indonesia..
Sincerely,
William Savola
e-mail: wisavola@hotmail.com