The song of coral

Laura di Giovanna Nocito creates unique jewelry from the coral of Sciacca — a treasure the waters offered to the Sicilian town nearly two centuries ago — making this precious gift of the sea “sing.” The heir to a family whose legacy has been shaped, generation after generation, by remarkable women, Laura was named a MAM – Master of Arts and Crafts in 2024 for her extraordinary talent in the goldsmith’s art. In the following interview, she shares the captivating, almost mythical tales that led her to make coral her life’s craft.

Can you tell us the story of Sciacca’s coral?
It is a unique and legendary tale, tied to an extraordinary event. One day in 1831, the people of Sciacca awoke in terror to sudden rumblings and tremors, accompanied by a strong smell of sulfur. To understand the source of this upheaval, local fishermen took to the sea — and just a few kilometers off the coast, they discovered a newly emerged island, which would go down in history as Ferdinandea Island. The island disappeared beneath the surface of the sea within a few months, but it foretold the beginning of an epic that, from 1875 onward, led to the discovery of three immense coral deposits. These had grown on the slopes of underwater volcanoes that dot our sea, and then accumulated in deep underwater pockets over thousands and thousands of years. This is how Sciacca coral was born: it is a gift from the sea and from time.

How did your family become part of this story?
It all began with a woman—my ancestor Concetta Venezia, the daughter of merchants, who in 1905 married her cousin Peppino Nocito, the last descendant of a family of noble origins.
Peppino didn’t want his wife to work; it would have been improper for someone of his social standing. But the women in my family have always stood out for their rebellious determination.
Concetta, unable to settle into a life of comfort, took advantage of the arrival of a jewelry representative at the family-owned hotel. She convinced him to leave her a few pieces and began secretly selling them to her friends, behind her husband’s back. When Peppino found out, it wasn’t an easy moment. We don’t know the details of what happened. All we know is that, four years later, the couple was still going strong, the hotel was gone, and Concetta was the owner of the most important jewelry store in Sciacca. Mountains of coral passed through her hands—the great era of coral fishing was still underway and wouldn’t end until 1914, with the beginning of the Great War.

What makes Sciacca’s coral so distinctive?
It is a truly unique coral, known for its hardness, brilliance, and density. Its natural palette ranges from pale pink to deep orange, and it is entirely sustainable: since it is subfossil, or “dead” coral, no living organisms are harmed during its collection.

What are the main techniques and challenges in working with coral?
Working with coral is a world apart — shaped by its own “song,” the delicate chime it makes when two pieces strike each other. Nothing can be automated; every step must be done by hand, ideally using tools that are either custom-made or specially adapted for each individual branch. This allows the artisan to work with the coral’s natural irregularities and uniqueness, following ancient techniques passed down solely from master to apprentice. Working with coral is true sculpture — a process carried out in tandem with the material itself. You do only what the coral allows you to do; you must listen to what it suggests. In my training, the turning point was the opportunity to learn the craft from an extraordinary master: Platimiro Fiorenza. Despite his initial hesitation at the arrival of a woman in a world traditionally reserved for men, he eventually welcomed me into his workshop and taught me the secrets of his ancient art.

The story of your family is one of entrepreneurship, with women always playing a central role. Is it still a challenge today?
Starting with Concetta, women have always been at the heart of our family’s entrepreneurial history—with the only exception being a period in which there was no female heir. My father was an only child and chose to become an engineer. I revived the business in 2005. The truth is that, in Sicily, beneath the surface, a true matriarchy reigns. Our land is full of stories of independent women, including entrepreneurs, like Donna Franca Florio. That doesn’t mean the challenges aren’t many and difficult, even today. I had to fight, even just to receive my education.

What inspires your creativity when creating jewelry?
Every day, my inspiration comes from everything around me: the sea, the sun, nature, the traditions of my land — not just those related to jewelry, but also to other crafts like papier-mâché and ceramics.

What did the MAM – Master of Arts and Crafts recognition mean to you?
I received the news with disbelief: I almost felt paralyzed before I allowed myself to feel excited. I didn’t feel worthy of achieving the same milestone as my master Platimiro Fiorenza, but at the same time, the award represented the recognition I felt I deserved for my passion and for the difficulties I faced along the way. It’s not just a goal, but also a new starting point, because coral is an infinite world, and there’s still so much more to learn.

Contacts
Nocito Gioielli
Via Venezia, 8A – Sciacca (AG)
+39 0925 85386 – info@nocitogioielli.com
www.nocitogioielli.com