By Jennifer Comeau, Reefcaya
The first time I told someone at a show that my jewelry was made from invasive Asian green mussels, they paused and said, “Wait … what?” That moment has stayed with me because it’s a reaction that I see all the time. Most people don’t even know these mussels exist in Florida, let alone the impact they have.
When I was about 9 years old, I remember picking out a book about the rainforest. It became a dream of mine to visit someday. I understood at a young age I felt a pull toward nature and the environment.
Years later, my husband and I spent time in Costa Rica, and that’s when everything came together for me. Being surrounded by that level of life and diversity made me truly understand what conservation means and how important balance is in nature, something I don’t think I could have fully learned any other way.
Before starting Reefcaya, I worked as a professional jeweler, handling luxury pieces and fine materials. It was detailed, technical work, and I took pride in it, but something was missing. I wanted to create something that felt more connected to the environment and had a deeper purpose behind it.
That shift happened when I started removing invasive Asian green mussels from the Florida coast. Once you start noticing them, you realize how widespread they are. They attach in large clusters, taking up space where oysters and other native species would normally grow.
They’re also filter feeders, pulling from the same food sources marine life depends on, which can affect the balance of the ecosystem over time. One adult can release thousands to millions of eggs and reach maturity in just a few months.
What stood out to me the most wasn’t just their impact; it was the disconnect between what’s happening beneath the surface and what people see on land. That’s where my jewelry becomes something more than just jewelry.
Instead of discarding the shells, I began repurposing them into wearable pieces — not to glorify the species, but to transform something harmful into something meaningful. Each piece carries a story, and that story starts a conversation. When people stop and ask about Reefcaya jewelry, it opens the door to talk about invasive species, ecosystem balance and the importance of removal.
I’ve learned that awareness doesn’t always come from articles or reports; it often starts when something becomes real to people, whether that’s standing in a rainforest or simply holding a piece of nature in their hands. A piece of jewelry can do something powerful in a simple way: It makes people stop, ask questions and listen.
This work has changed the way I see both jewelry and conservation. It’s no longer just about creating something beautiful. It’s about creating something with purpose, something that connects people to the environment in a way they might not expect.
And if a single piece of jewelry can spark awareness, then that’s where real impact begins.
Jennifer Comeau is the founder of Florida-based Reefcaya. Comeau removes invasive Asian green mussels from local waters under a recreational license, following Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission guidelines. Banner photo: Invasive Asian green mussels (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Comeau).
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