Maine is the lobster capital of the world. Here, we have the sweetest, juiciest and finest lobsters anywhere. Mainers are proud of this fact and take lobster fishing very seriously. The most recent figures published indicate that in 2006 there were over 72 million pounds of lobster caught off the Maine coast, valued at over 297 million dollars.
Even though Maine lobsters are consumed by millions of people all over the world, little is know about our Homarus americanus (American lobster.) Let me share a few little-know lobster facts that you can ponder the next time you dig into these succulent crustaceans.
Lobsters love the colder waters you find around the Maine coast. They molt 2-3 times a year while juvenile, but only once a year when fully mature (about 4 to 7 years old.) In the first two weeks after molting, lobsters are very vulnerable because their new shells are so soft they can’t move very fast, or defend themselves. Their natural predator is the codfish. There are others, too─haddock flounder and other lobsters.
Lobsters are not the scavengers everyone makes them out to be. They eat live food, consisting of fish, mollusks, other crustaceans, worms and some plant life. However, I have seen them hanging out in some of the bars in the Old Port in Portland.
Lobsters can live for more than 100 years. They can get big, too. The largest lobster weighed in at over 44 lbs. They come in a variety of colors, including red, blue, green purple and yellow.
Lobsters have a brain the size of a grasshopper’s. They have two different size claws; a crusher and a pincher. Lobster’s teeth are in their stomach.
Here’s one other lobster fact that you should be aware of: I make the best gold lobster in the country. It’s 18k yellow gold with movable claws that hold two beautiful diamonds (different size claws. Remember crusher and pincher?) There are ten different pieces that must be assembled to create this lobster and it takes me three weeks to complete the job. The detail is exquisite and I sell this lobster to the lobster fisherman in Maine, it’s that good, and they’re very particular when it comes to lobsters!
Log onto www.porte4.com to see my lobster, and other sea and nautical jewelry that I create. Thanks – Gerard
I recently received a commission to create a special gift for my client’s wife featuring the birthstones of their two children and two grandchildren. Rather than make the typical mother’s or grandma’s piece of jewelry, I created a Circle of Life pendant. The birthstones are diamond for April, emerald for May, rose zircon for October and garnet for January. I wanted the stones large enough so that they can easily be seen. I suspended the stones on a series of handmade wires. I surrounded them with brilliant, full-cut diamonds and hung the pendant on a chain hidden behind the diamonds, so as not to disrupt the flow of the piece. My client’s wife’s reaction when she contacted me after receiving her gift: It is EXACTLY what I wanted but more so. It’s stunning! I love it!
