Sea Turtles Touch Our Hearts!

The ancient and majestic, Leatherback Sea turtle was the inspiration behind Crucian Gold’s new Turtle Collection. 

Some notable facts about Leatherback sea turtles:

• Leatherback turtles are the oldest sea turtle, having survived for more than 100 million years
• They are the largest sea turtle, growing up to 7 feet long and can exceed 2,000 pounds
• The leatherback is the only sea turtle that lacks a hard shell, their carapace is flexible and rubbery
• They can dive to depths of 4,200 feet—deeper than any other turtle—and can stay down for up to 85 minutes.

Even though they are the oldest sea turtles with fossil records dating back more than 100 million years their population is rapidly declining.

St. Croix’s Sandy Point is listed as a critical nesting habitat for the endangered Leatherback sea turtle and is toted as one of the largest nesting grounds in the U.S. and its Territories. It is believed that only 1 in 1000 hatchlings will ever make it to adulthood. Many Leatherbacks fall victim at the hands of human activity. Some are struck by boats, tangled in fishing lines and nets, by ingesting plastic debris mistaken as food, and by the increase in coastal development.

The idea for the Turtle collection came from conversations rooted in a desire to make a difference through environmental action to help conserve and protect these beautiful creatures. 

Because leatherbacks are endangered, meaning they are or will soon be seriously at risk of extinction, it is critical to bring awareness and conserve habitats that they can nest in, like those that SEA and others manage, right here on St. Croix!

The Leatherback Sea Turtle design was a result of shared techniques, feedback and creative vision of the Crucian Gold team, Nathan Bishop, Terri Wunschel, Therese Trudeau, and Kynoch Reale-Munroe.

By purchasing an item from the Turtle collection, a portion of sales will support sea turtle conservation through the St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA).

Thank you for being part of the change!
Feel the Love! 

For more information on the St. Croix Environmental Association and some of the great work that they do, click here: SEA: https://www.stxenvironmental.org

Photo Credit: Jen Valiulis, St. Croix Environmental Association

Photo Disclaimer: This photo was taken during research activities under an Endangered Species Permit issued by Division of Fish and Wildlife. This photo was taken without the use of a flash so not to disturb or disorient the turtles.