Hawksbill Turtle / Tortuga Carey

There is a creature beneath the waves whose beauty has, paradoxically, brought it to the edge of extinction. The Hawksbill Turtle — Tortuga Carey in Spanish — is one of the ocean's most ancient and magnificent beings. It is also the soul behind our brand name, KAREY, a tribute written in the spelling of a letter.

Hawksbill turtles are named for their distinctive narrow, pointed beak, which resembles that of a hawk. Their carapace, a mosaic of amber, brown, and gold — is among the most coveted materials in the natural world, as precious and as contested as ivory. In Spanish-speaking countries, this material is simply called "carey", and for centuries it has been harvested to craft jewellery, ornaments, accessories, and decorative objects. Eastern Asia, in particular, has become a significant market for tortoiseshell goods in recent decades.

The consequences have been devastating. Humans have driven this species to the brink of extinction, capturing them for their shells, their meat (considered a delicacy in some cultures), and their eggs. Beyond direct hunting, hawksbill turtles face constant threat from gillnets and fishing hooks. As air-breathing animals, those accidentally caught underwater often drown before they can surface. This bycatch, compounded by expanding global fishing activity, represents one of the most urgent threats to their survival.

Today, only an estimated 400 breeding females remain in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The species is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List one step from extinction in the wild.

International agreements now prohibit the import, export, capture, and slaughter of hawksbill turtles and their products. But awareness remains the most powerful tool. The more people understand what is at stake, the harder it becomes to look away.

At KAREY, we carry this name as a responsibility. Our brand exists not only to dress you beautifully, but to remind you and us that beauty in the world is worth protecting.