Coral jewelry bought in Italy before the ban

MsMaven

I have a pendant bought in Capri, Italy 21 years ago. We were there to take time off to deal with the unexpected death of our son.

I haven't thought much about it--I knew there was a ban--but I didn't think there'd be a problem taking it to wear on a trip to Australia & New Zealand. I haven't worn it much in recent years.

So I've been searching online and it doesn't look like it would be a good idea, maybe illegal, or at least in bad taste.

It looks silvery in the photo, but it's gold, about 2" across at widest.
Any thoughts?

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4 days ago

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA Ms. Maven -- I am so sorry -- in my first response I was focused entirely on the photo and your question and now I see the most important part -- I am so terribly sorry for your loss. That is terrible news -- and under the circumstances I think you should wear whatever would give YOU comfort! But if there are likely to be problems at the border, perhaps just leave it at home for another time.

I think if it might offend others, you could perhaps save for other venues/ occasions? It's very pretty but....

4 days ago

Jenni NZ

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As you have had it so long I doubt ours or Australia’s bio security will ping you, but perhaps declare it anyway. Please be really careful re any plant or animal materials as fines are high.
I don’t personally think it in bad taste, but the Australians might chime in as they actually have coral growing, we do not. You followed the rules at the time. I doubt most people would think about what it’s made of. It’s really pretty!
I didn’t know you had had such a terrible loss

4 days ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Sorry for the unexpected loss of your son--very sorry.

I would lean towards NOT taking it, even though it is pretty. I am always dealing with the meaning of what I am wearing, and I would probably feel self conscious. I have a pair of coral earrings, but I would not take them to Australia.

3 days ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I saved the picture (see below) because I liked how the the woman used the brooch to fasten her scarf and want to replicate it. I think your pin would be the perfect size to do something like this.

When in doubt, leave it out (of your suitcase) - but do get your pin into rotation.

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3 days ago

MsMaven

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Thanks for your advice Suz, Jenni, and Carol. Between Covid and Mr M's retirement we rarely attend even moderately dressy occasions. As I went through my things I saw this and thought it would be a great cheery piece to wear for a change. I love it and haven't worn it for years--then I realized much has changed in the past few years.

I to guess a better question is what kind of pieces would be appropriate to wear on such a trip? I've collected a few nice items over the years but I rarely wear them.

3 days ago

MsMaven

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Great idea Carla! I think of this as a summer piece. It would certainly work well with a lot of things I wear now.

3 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Can you tell us more about the trip? Do you have any time in Auckland? I have met two Fabbers, BJ1111 before the pandemic and Sal since, but would love to meet you. Maybe send me a message.
It may depend a bit on your health how dressy to be. NZ and Australia have a lot of outdoor activities but if you are doing a cruise I imagine there may be plenty of opportunities for dressing up a bit. But walking around towns/ports would need comfy shoes.

3 days ago

Sal

Veteran

I am interested in seeing if a meet up would work too. Do let us know.

In terms of what to wear, I think NZers are dressier than people from North America in general, but relatively casual.

Our weather is notoriously changeable and fickle. You will need a rain jacket as well as a sun hat and sunscreen (the sun is brutal). We are a long maritime nation so in the most part our weather is a bit breezy and humid, but not everywhere. NZ is bigger than people think - but dwarfed by our Australian cousin. Their weather is hotter than ours, but also unpredictable on the east coast.

I would bring sneakers as well as sandals that can be walked in, plus a dressier pair of sandals or shoes for meals out.

Thin trousers/pants and a long sleeve shirt would suit our climate, or a dress with long sleeves. I find jeans a bit hot in summer but some people do wear them.

In terms of the special coral brooch, I don't think it would cause any problems but I think the risk of it being confiscated would mean it is not worth it. Especially when it is associated with your son.

It is hard with pieces like older fur coats, ivory ornaments, coral etc... - what do you do with them when they are older and heritage? I vote to wear them and treasure them, acknowledging it was a different time.

3 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ms. Maven, I’m so sorry for your loss. Devastating.

As for the pretty coral brooch, I’d wear it CA at home, casually like Carla suggested. Pin it onto a casual denim jacket if you have and wear one.

Out of an abundance of caution, leave the brooch at home.

3 days ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

It sounds like you are itching to wear it. I am team Wear Your Things, and like Carla and Angie said, you could pin that on anything formally OR casually. You could try it out and see how it feels, even though it is more a summer look. But in a lot of the country, people wear every color during every season.

3 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I Googled it, looks like you might need to show documentation from when you bought it to bring to both NZ and Australia, because of CITES, an international convention on endangered species. And you should declare it according to what I read.
Also, everyone suggesting pinning it to clothing- isn’t it a pendant not a brooch?

3 days ago

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Jenni NZ - good point, however a pendant can be worn as a brooch by running a pin through the shank (or whatever the chain runs through). It’s nearly invisible if run through the reverse side of a garment. Or, loop an elastic through the shank and thread a scarf through it or use as a hair ornament,

3 days ago

MsMaven

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It is a pendant, but thanks to Carla I understand how to wear it other ways.

It dawns on me that one of the reasons I don’t wear it is that it’s difficult to find the right chain. Dawns on me after reading here I could get a cord for it. I will check out Amazon to get ideas. I don’t think it will be so dressy and attention getting.

I’ll check our itinerary,

Went to endodontist today for a root canal and have to go back for a second treatment. I’m kind of goofy right now.

3 days ago

Jaime

(website)

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I am so sorry about your son MsMaven.
As for the pendant, I would probably tend to save it for another time, but it is beautiful and should be worn.

3 days ago

avicennia

Veteran

Dear Ms Maven—thank you for sharing with us. The pendant is gorgeous. I’m in an environmental field, and I would not judge anyone for wearing coral purchased long ago. I say wear it as much as you can, in the US. I hope wearing it is a comfort.

3 days ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Just a thought--cords are great, but a chain would be even better. Provided all you need is a thin, simple chain, Target has great ones. Also probably Macy's, etc.

2 days ago

Lisa

Veteran

Sorry for the loss of your son.

I would certainly put this piece into the rotation to wear, but I would NOT travel with it. I don't travel with any sentimental jewelry. I don't want to risk having something stolen, lost, confiscated, broken, etc. It's not worth it for a trip.

But I hope you do start wearing this lovely piece when you're at home.

1 day ago

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