Taiwan Today

If anyone had stocked up on coral jewelry in Taiwan 15 years ago, he would be a rich man today. Prices have gone up many times over, not only because of the craftsman's higher wage, but also because soaring demand has depleted the readily available supply of the raw material. Waters adjacent to Taiwan were an important source of coral before 1941. War interrupted the harvest, and the search for reefs was not resumed until the early 1960s. Buyers were quick to learn that Taiwan coral jewelry was a bargain and flocked to small shops in back lanes. Nearby reefs were exhausted and the price went up. The beds will revive, however, because coral is the skeletal remains of marine plants and animals. It takes about 10 years for a coral bed to re­ vive after giving up its treasures to man.

Coral is harvested by dragging weighted nets across the reefs. This is wasteful but less so than dynamiting. Most better deposits are too deep for divers. In 1976, about half of the Taiwan yield of coral came from the waters near adjacent islands, from the South China Sea south of Hongkong and from the seabed near the Midway Islands of the Central Pacific. The value of the take was nearly US$4 million. Colors range from white through pink and deep red. About half of the harvest was ex­ported unfinished. The rest was wrought into jewelry and other de­corative items that earned nearly US$5 million in recorded exports plus sales to tourists. More than 1,000 small factories are engaged in making coral jewelry and hand­icrafts. The most popular pieces are rings and brooches. Necklaces and bracelets also sell well and earrings of coral are in increasing demand. Cameos and figurines may be carved from coral. Plain branches of coral are polished and displayed as decorations. A red coral ring which sold for a mere US$100 or so in the mid-60s may now bring US$1,000. Color and perfection of the polyp's skeletal house are determinants of price. Originality and skill of the art­isan are also factors. The jades and corals of Taiwan are combined in screens and wall hangings depicting flowers and landscapes. A small one of good quality will cost between US$50 and $100, and a large screen from US$500 to as much as $1,000. Coral has been used decoratively for centuries.

Italian craftsmen used to be regarded as the masters of coral jewelry mak­ing. These examples of Taiwan workmanship show that the Chinese are catch­ing up. Coral from Taiwan is much cheaper and as good as that from Europe.