Monaco jeweller Alberto Vitale put coral front and centre at the Yacht Club of Monaco recently, inviting the Scientific Centre of Monaco to explain the important role that coral plays in our eco system.

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“I wanted to host this event because even I, whose family has been in jewellery for four generations, never used to know what coral actually was,” reveals Alberto Vitale. “Is it an animal? Is it a rock? I decided to ask the Scientific Centre to explain coral from a scientific point of view.”

As Scientific Director Denis Allemand told a crowd of around 65 YCM members, corals are sessile animals that permanently attach themselves to the ocean floor, essentially “taking root” like most plants do.

Most coral structures are made up of hundreds to thousands of tiny coral creatures called polyps and each soft-bodied polyp secretes a hard outer skeleton of limestone that attaches either to rock or the dead skeletons of other polyps. These structures form the home for thousands, if not millions, of other species. If the coral dies, so do hundreds of thousands of animal and plant life.

“Everyone at the evening was surprised to learn that coral was an animal,” explains Alberto. “They were also surprised to learn that coral is so important for our lives and for the life of the planet.”

After the scientific explanation, Alberto described how he uses coral in his high-end jewellery. “We only use coral that comes from 50 metres below the surface, not the coral you would usually see diving and snorkelling. But in particular, I explained that we use ethical coral.”

Hundreds of years ago, explained Alberto, there was a volcanic eruption in the Mediterranean Sea near Sardinia which destroyed a vast amount of coral naturally. It is this coral that he uses in his jewellery.

“I also presented my recent collection and explained that I give 8% of the sales to the Prince Albert Foundation and through them we give money to the Scientific Centre, who conducts research to not only save the coral, but in turn save humanity, because coral has properties that can be used for health and therapeutic purposes.”

Meanwhile, Alberto announced at the end of the evening that he would be funding a new piece of equipment within a year that the Scientific Centre needs in order to study coral.

“I think they do a very vital job so it is important to help them discover how coral can save our life and how we can save coral. It is a circle.”

Alberto Vitale will present his new collection inspired by the ocean and coral from the 1st December at his showroom in Monte Carlo.

Top photo: Scientific Director Denis Allemand and Alberto Vitale

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