Summer 2025 is lit by coral hues

Created by the sea, sculpted by human hands. We are speaking of coral.

The gemstone that, more than any other, connects us to the essence of summer, equally tied to the ecosystem we cherish and the artisanal gesture we admire. Sensual to the touch and seductive to the eye, it warms the season through contemporary designs that preserve its timeless refinement. Even those who favour restraint may yield to its allure. Just a detail, a mere hint of its colour, is enough to bring character to any style. Its organic nature comes alive in jewels that balance expressive strength with delicate grace. To discover its most extraordinary expressions, one need only look to the principal Italian centres for coral craftsmanship, in Campania and Sicily, guardians of a know-how passed down through generations. Here, coral is also chosen by high jewellery houses capable of enhancing it through one-of-a-kind creations.

Among the most renowned, De Simone Fratelli stands as a symbol of tradition, quality and innovation. The company, based in Torre del Greco and now led by siblings Fiammetta, Michele and Massimo, remains true to the values of Italian artisanal heritage while investing in the exploration of new techniques and creative languages, with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. A vision that has succeeded in keeping an ancient tradition alive, adapting it to the present day and spreading the culture of Italian coral across the globe through jewels that are true masterpieces.

Also in Campania, Bruno Mazza brings rare and precious Sciacca coral back to the spotlight, transforming it into vibrant forms that engage with contemporary taste.

The Sicilian tradition, by contrast, is interpreted by names such as Lidia Lucchese, who blends the timeless elegance of 18kt gold with the expressive power of coral, as in her Torchon necklace adorned with Tahitian black pearls. In its irregularity lies the value of an authenticity that time cannot erode.

Antonella Reina, Editor VO+