This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
You don't wear fur because you think it's cruel to animals, but do you wear coral? Coral's an animal, too, you know (nope, it's not a rock like its complementary friend turquoise.) According to the coral-protection group Too Precious To Wear, corals are vital to marine life—they provide other aquatic life with food, safe haven from predators, and a secure place to mate. So wearing coral jewelry, as beautiful as it may be, is tantamount to wearing fur—detrimental to animals, and your wallet. The real coral Cabochon necklace from Kenneth Jay Lane, above left, is $825, while the equally gorgeous Summer-Made beaded necklace from Anthropologie, which uses coral-colored resin in place of the real thing, is only $44. Check out some of our other eco- and budget-friendly swaps below.
Coral and gold is a color combo that'll never go out of style, and this vintage-inspired Lana stone ring from Forever 21 ($4.80) proves it. The big, peachy-pink stone is so grand in its retro golden setting. Wear this alone as a major statement piece or go for gypsy glam by wearing extravagant gold hoops as well.
Stately and stunning, these Cabochon chandelier earrings from Banana Republic ($42) lend an instant air of resort chic to any ensemble. The orangey stones are made of coral-friendly resin, so you can feel totally guilt-free when you wear them with flat gold gladiators and your most comfortable touring outfit.
Get coral's tropical vibe without sacrificing the valuable commodity (FYI: corals are used in the drugs that treat HIV infections and are being studied for their disease curing potential). A gold-plated coral branch anklet from Christie Martin Jewelry ($143) makes the coral correlation, giving off the exotic essence of coral without being the real thing.
Peruse our Celeb Jewelry Guide for more current trends.
