Is anybody else grossed out by the use of stingray skin in Chi jewelry? I saw it last night and had to stop watching.

Pamela, I wholeheartedly agree. It is unnecessary and cruel to use stingrays for jewelry. (I saw a documentary on these fascinating creatures and feel sad they must give up their lives for the whims of humans.) I only hope the pieces will prove unpopular with viewers.

Agree with every one of you!

They can do faux for everything, so why not?
Plus IMHO it's not attractive stuff anyway.

I wasn't sure what it was at first and then I finally realized they were saying what I thought they were. I thought some of the designs were interesting but didn't purchase anything.

I'm not sure how they got the idea for stingray jewelry anyway. I know a certain jewelry guest on another shopping channel has been quite successful selling it in a cuff bracelet. It doesn't appeal to me. I admit, however, I love fine leather in jackets, bags and shoes. I think if it had hair on it though, that would be a bit too much for me.

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Laura

I remember the first time I saw stingray jewelry -- it was a cuff bracelet inside a glass case at an outdoor craft show, and I was mesmerized by it -- I couldn't figure out what it was -- it looked like black gemstones! -- and asked the artisan. "Stingray!" he said. "Wow," I said, "it looks like pave black diamonds in the sun!" He told me that the stingray's skin was historically used in Japan for the hilts of samurai swords; it's tough yet beautiful. I didn't buy that cuff, alas, but often thought about it. I DID see and buy the ruby-tipped bypass stingray bracelet on another shopping channel, and it's one of my favorites; people always comment on it and wonder what it's made of. Stingrays are cool creatures, to be sure, but they're not endangered, and eelskin and other exotic fish skins have been used in leather arts for centuries by many cultures. I feel the way Albert Schweitzer did about eating animals or using their skins - know that a life has been given for you, acknowledge and honor that life, be aware of it and don't take it for granted (paraphrasing, but that's the gist, I believe).

It doesn't bother me that it's stringray but I just don't care for the look. All the stingray's would be alive if it were up to me buying stingray jewelry.

Falchi has used exotic skins for years and years. I think he's attempting to bridge his popularity and familiarity as a handbag and accessory designer with his new jewelry line. The price alone is enough to halt me from buying it, like most anything w/ exotic skins.

Funny, I see so many complaints about non-leather handbags, boots, belts, wallets... rays are indeed very beautiful, fascinating and enchanting to watch. I believe in some Asian countries they are fished as a food product, like sharks, and the skins are a by-product, as are eels and other creatures. My kids have all had a long fascination with sharks. My 10 yo daughter can pretty much tell you anything about any shark and identify most species on sight. Both daughters have charm bracelets I add to on their birthdays and holidays and they each have rays. I don't think they would admire anything I had with ray skin.

I think it's easier for people to wear leather because they don't look at a belt and immediately think "calf." Something like this cuff is a real reminder of the animal it once was. Often when there are leather coats or handbags, the host will say something about how good leather smells... it just gives me he heebies. ;)

There are of course alternatives to animal products and I think HSN offers a lot of variety.

Some higher end designers offer vegan or cruelty-free products. Falchi just isn't one of them.

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"Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none."

~ William Shakespeare

I intensely dislike sharks, although I will agree that the practice of "finning" is despicable. Hunting for food I can understand, but outright waste and slow, painful deaths are just not cool in my book.

And with that said, we are talking about STINGRAYS people, the very same critters that stabbed that loudmouthed Australian wildlife show guy to death without thinking twice. [His name is escaping me at the moment.... he said "CRIKEY!!" every 5 seconds, I do remember that].

Rays are also very feared in the Amazon; they have a kind that lives in the Amazon river and if they sting you its serious bad news. So c'mon people, we're not discussing the flaying of Barney the Dinosaur here, these are rays and if they felt a need, they'd ruin your day without hesitation. I live in the Gulf Coast area and I admit that the stingrays I've seen tend to be small and will flee rather than attack, but I'm careful not to step on them nonetheless. Members of the shark family are not exactly known for thier cuddliness.

Any animal, especially wild, has the potential to harm or . His name was Steve Irwin, btw.

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"Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none."

~ William Shakespeare