Supplier News: Week of May 4

By Brittany Siminitz | May 08, 2026

Coral, Pearl, and Cameo Trade Event Coming to Naples, Italy

Assocoral, Italy’s national association of coral, cameos, and related materials producers, will hold the first Precious Sea Summit on May 21 in Naples, in collaboration with Italian Exhibition Group (IEG).

The event is also copresented by Consorzio Corallo e Cammeo Torrese, or the Coral and Cameo Consortium of Torre del Greco—the area of Naples where the summit will be held, which is renowned for its cameo and coral jewelry craftsmanship.

Registration for the Precious Sea Summit is free while seats are available.

The conference will bring together stakeholders in the coral and cameo jewelry trades, as well as the pearl, shell, and mother-of-pearl supply chains, for dialogue and sharing of strategies regarding industry challenges, including traceability, protection of marine sources, and enhancement of ancient professions.

“It is with great pride that we will be hosting, on an annual basis, a moment of high-level discussion on fundamental issues such as the sustainability of organic materials used in the jewelry world,” said Vincenzo Aucella, president of Assocoral, in a statement. “Collaboration with Italian Exhibition Group will allow us to trace, right from the first edition, a clear vision for the summit’s future: a truly immersive experience with the extraordinary heritage of Torre del Greco at its center.”

Aucella described Torre del Greco as “suspended between the sea and Vesuvius, where excellent artisan knowledge and traditions have been handed down for centuries.”

WJA Partners With AI Platform FormaNova

AI-powered jewelry photography and CAD platform FormaNova has announced a partnership with the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) that will grant WJA members in North America access to FormaNova’s tools and training on integrating AI into their creative and commercial workflows.

The collaboration, designed as a three-month educational initiative, strengthens WJA’s commitment to equipping its members with tools, education, and resources that enable them to remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven industry. Every member will receive 100 free FormaNova platform credits, along with access to one-on-one training sessions focused on best practices for AI-assisted photography, visual merchandising, and using artificial intelligence to increase productivity and creative output.

“AI is still in its early stages, and while it is not without limitations, its potential for the jewelry industry is profound,” said Sophia Pervez, founder of FormaNova, in a statement. “The real opportunity lies in the interplay between human expertise and intelligent systems. When used thoughtfully, AI doesn’t replace craftsmanship—it amplifies it. Our goal with this partnership is to empower jewelers to create more, experiment more freely, and ultimately bring their ideas to market faster and with greater precision.”