Reaffirming “No Coral Sales” Policy
Tiffany & Co. today unveiled store windows worldwide with an “Under the
Sea” theme to raise awareness about the damage coral harvesting inflicts
on critically important marine ecosystems.
Tiffany window designers created a fantasy world around this serious
subject. Each window offers a different view—and a different hue—of the
ocean floor. The topography of hills and valleys is shaped by glittering
sand and bathed in deep blue, pristine white, lavender or turquoise.
Gossamer fabric forms waves of color and bubbles swirl around vibrant
coral shapes sculpted in resin. The ocean-themed windows seek to inform
the public that corals are living animals. Together with the reef
systems which they help create, corals provide marine life with food and
fertile grounds for reproduction.
“Today, corals are in crisis—the result of destructive fishing methods,
climate change, and their removal for use as decorative objects and
jewelry,” said Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer
of Tiffany & Co. “In 2002 we discontinued selling coral jewelry,
concluding that in a world where corals and reef communities are under
siege, we could not be complicit in their destruction. It is our hope to
raise consumer awareness of this important issue and to urge fellow
jewelers to join us in refusing to sell coral jewelry.”
In addition, Tiffany supports SeaWeb, a nonprofit organization, and its Too
Precious to Wear campaign, designed to educate consumers and
retailers about coral conservation. Tiffany also backs the
reauthorization of a U.S. Coral Reef Conservation Act and the addition
of red coral to the Convention for International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) Appendix II, which lists species that could become
threatened with extinction if trade is not carefully monitored.
The protection of corals is just one of several initiatives Tiffany has
undertaken in the area of social and environmental responsibility.
Tiffany is committed to what it calls “sustainable style,” enduring
designs of beauty that pose no threat to natural resources.
The “Under the Sea” windows will be on view throughout the summer, with
rotating designs from Tiffany’s renowned collections, including Bezet, a
new diamond engagement ring.
TIFFANY & CO. (NYSE: TIF) operates jewelry and specialty retail stores
and manufactures products through its subsidiary corporations. Its
principal subsidiary is Tiffany and Company. The Company operates
TIFFANY & CO. retail stores and boutiques in the Americas, Asia-Pacific
and Europe and engages in direct selling through Internet, catalog and
business gift operations. Other operations include consolidated results
from ventures operated under trademarks or trade names other than
TIFFANY & CO. For additional information, please visit tiffany.com
or call our shareholder information line at 800-TIF-0110.
TIFFANY & CO. and TIFFANY are trademarks of Tiffany and Company.
Tiffany & Co.
Linda Buckley, 212-277-5900
linda.buckley@tiffany.com
or
Tiffany
& Co.
Carson Glover, 212-277-5917
carson.glover@tiffany.com
