Taylor Watson

A host of timeless fashions come from the sea, including the pearl, a symbol of prosperity popularized by Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th Century.

“She was in love with pearls,” said Taylor Watson, a certified gemologist appraiser at Fischer-Evans Jewelers. “Pearls were first used as a means of bartering before they became fashionable as jewelry.”

Queen Elizabeth I wore natural pearls which are outrageously expensive today, Ms. Watson said.

“Many of the natural pearls came out of the Persian Gulf. After Desert Storm, when all the oil wells were set on fire and ultimately bled into the ocean, the oyster, clam and muscle beds where pearls were found were destroyed,” she said. “Today, only tiny natural pearls are found, and they’re outrageously expensive.”

A 7-millimeter natural pearl costs about $2,500 while a cultured pearl of the same size retails for about $70.

Today, nearly all pearls sold are cultured, meaning they have been given a helping hand by man. Foreign objects are inserted into a mollusk, inducing the creation of a pearl.

Another treasure of the sea, coral, cannot be cultured. The existence of coral reefs is greatly threatened, and organizations such as Coral Reef Alliance encourage people to ban the purchase of coral jewelry.

According to animals.nationalgeographic.com, coral reefs cover less than 1 percent of the ocean floor yet support about 25 percent of all marine creatures. However, threats to their existence abound, and scientists estimate that human factors, such as pollution, global warming and sedimentation, could kill 30 percent of the existing reefs in the next 30 years.

“You don’t see a lot of new coral on the market now,” Ms. Watson said. “Naturalists say that gathering up live or dead coral is helping to destroy the reefs. A lot of major jewelry producers have backed away. Still, some petrified coral can be found in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s pale pink in color, exquisite, rare and expensive.”

Adea, an Italian lingerie and day-wear company, introduced last year a line of fashions made with SeaCell, a seaweed fiber that allows the skin to absorb nutritional minerals and vitamins such as calcium, magnesium, cartinoid and amino acids, and vitamins A and E, according to amaze.com.

These ingredients are released by natural body moisture and help the skin stay firm and smooth. The porous, open structure of the SeaCell fibers help neutralize odors and wick away perspiration.

Christina DiPierro, president of Adea, said the response to SeaCell garments, which retail for $86 to $160, have been positive.

“Clients have been very excited about it and we see many repeat orders because once you wear the fabric you definitely want more of it,” Ms. DiPierro said in an e-mail. “The fabric is extremely lightweight with a soft, supple hand and the items are all body-hugging, yet forgiving, so you can enjoy the feel of the fabric more against your skin.”

A new SeaCell Spring 2009 line will feature a knee-length skirt, shorts and a sleeveless top, Ms. DiPierro said.