- BY ISSIMO
- August 12, 2024
Striking, elegant, and a new addition to your jewellery repertoire that will (hopefully) bring you good luck, our new coral necklace is more than a matter of adornment. Handcrafted on Ischia, it embodies centuries of tradition, culture, and artistry. This exquisite piece features rare Sardinian coral and the traditional Neapolitan Cornetti and Scaramantico charms, evoking a connection between past and present, between the natural world and artisanal legacy.
We spoke to jewellery artisan who created this unique piece in his workshop on Ischia, inspired by nature’s rarest materials and ancient Neapolitan culture. Read on to discover more about why this necklace exemplifies artisanal traditions in southern Italy, and so much more.
Natural beauty meets cultural folklore
“The design of this necklace reflects the cultural traditions of Ischia, and also of Naples more generally. We see this in elements like the Scaramantico, which has ancient Neapolitan origins. It’s a very unique necklace, and you won’t be able to find others of the same kind,” says our ISSIMO artisan.
Created from coral beads interspersed with Cornetti and a feature gold Scaramantico charm, this necklace captures ancient Neapolitan cultural folklore and is an instant talking point among friends…and strangers. Don’t be surprised if someone notices it and stops you to have a chat in the street! Shaped like a hand gesture with pointed fingers, the Scaramantico is believed to ward off the evil eye and bring good fortune to the wearer, while the Cornetti (or Cornicello) is a powerful amulet of protection.
Creating this coral necklace involves several stages: planning the initial design, carefully selecting the coral and accompanying charms, and meticulously assembling the final product. This process ensures it’s a one-of-a-kind reflection of the artisan’s expertise and cultural inspiration.
Precious ‘Corallo Sardo’
“We have chosen to use a red coral from Sardinia, an authentic Italian coral. Its proper name is Corallium Rubrum (Red Coral) but we call it Corallo Sardo or Sardinian Coral due to where it comes from. It’s one of the most precious types of coral in the world,” our artisan tells us.
With its vibrant red hue that glistens intensely under the sun, the coral’s exceptional quality is one of the first things you notice about this necklace. Sardinian Coral is one of the Mediterranean’s most treasured natural gifts. Harvested from the deep crystal waters surrounding the island according to strict practices, this coral is prized for its dense structure and rich colour, which doesn’t fade over time. As a result, any piece of jewellery made from Sardinian coral is considered not just beautiful, but rare in a traditional artisanal sense.
Coral adornment traditions through history
The tradition of coral jewellery in Naples and Ischia dates back to antiquity. The ancient Greeks and Romans adorned themselves with coral, believing it possessed protective powers. Coral has remained a symbol of beauty and good luck throughout the centuries, and it endures as a precious natural material observed in many traditional adornments and forms of decorative art across southern Italy. The legacy of coral craftsmanship is equally celebrated and preserved in Ischia, with local artisans continuing to honour these age-old techniques and traditions.
“Even in the Renaissance, we see paintings by some of the masters representing angels and key figures wearing necklaces and adornments made from coral. One of the most important is a work by Piero della Francesca in Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera. It shows Christ as an infant wearing a coral necklace. Coral is not only about superficial decoration, it has long been symbolic of deep protection and good fortune,” our artisan says.
The finest natural materials meet Italian artisanal traditions in our stunning new necklace, which makes a perfect gift for someone special or a meaningful protective amulet for yourself. More than just a piece of jewellery, we consider it a labour of love that reflects the artisan’s dedication to their craft and heritage…and hopefully brings all good things your way.
Shop our new Coral Necklace here on ISSIMO!
