Heritage in Every Piece: Top Arab Jewelry Brands to Discover
Seeing that Arab culture is rich and multifarious, many brands like to incorporate it into their identity and design. That is especially the case with Arab jewelry brands that make Arab culture an intrinsic aspect of their identity. Let us meet some of the noteworthy ones:
Sami Amin
When it comes to Egypt, its 3,000-year-old civilization is the ultimate thriving and bubbling hub of heritage and culture. That is where Sami Amin comes in. The self-taught Egyptian designer Sami Amin showcases pride in his motherland by distilling key aspects of ancient Egypt in his brand.
Beyond handbags, his jewelry pieces tell a story of the past. For example, in his expansive Hathor collection are the Sekhmet brass necklaces, representing the ancient Egyptian goddess of war and the destroyer of the enemies of the Sun God Re.
Another example is the brand’s ancient Egyptian collection that includes the Hathor carnelian & brass necklace, representing the goddess of the sky, women, and fertility.
Tamarzizt
Taking a detour from ancient Egypt, one Arab jewelry brand called Tamarzizt likes to place a celebratory light on Tunisian culture. Established in 2014, its designer, Oumaima Tamarzizt, draws inspiration from her Tunisian roots to bring the jewelry to life.
Along with that, she also pools inspiration from modern architecture and contemporary art and her travels to India. Her pieces scream Berber culture and motifs, with many featuring inspiration from vibrant colors, mashrabiyas, and more.
Charmaleena
Brought to life in Jeddah, Charmaleena is the jewelry brand that places Saudi heritage at the forefront.
From Malachite to Emerald, the symbolic Saudi green color has made an appearance in many of the brand’s pieces. Along with that, the brand incorporates other symbols from the country, including the sword motif, into its jewelry pieces.
Many celebrities and public figures have donned Charmaleena’s pieces, including Naomi Campbell and even football player Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bil Arabi
The brand’s name says it all, “Bil Arabi” literally translates to “In Arabic,” and that is exactly the persona of the jewelry brand.
Brought to life back in 2006 by Nadine Kanso, it is known as an Emirati brand where each piece of jewelry celebrates Arabic calligraphy by incorporating phrases, lettering, and symbols on 18-karat gold and vibrant semi-precious stones.
Alexandra Hakim
There’s creativity, then there’s Alexandra Hakim. The British-Lebanese jewelry designer has been making crazy noise because of her out-of-the-box jewelry creations. She pools inspiration from literally everything, whether it is tomato stems from Beirut’s bustling markets or Khaizaran motifs.
As the queen of sustainability, she doesn’t like anything to go to waste, so many of her jewelry pieces are made by casting found objects and using materials directly into precious metals to make unique pieces of jewelry.
Fabula
Palestinian-born Darine Abu Salim and Syrian-born Saada Domloge are two childhood friends who turned their love of jewelry into a blossoming brand.
Fabula is a jewelry brand that uses 18-carat gold, diamonds, and precious stones to tell stories through signature pieces, including their Ayat El Korsi necklace inscribed with verses of the Quran. The Arab world is placed front and center in each of their pieces, and that is what makes them special.
Whether it is a trip back to the 3,000-year-old ancient Egyptian civilization or a dive into Berber culture, each jewelry brand celebrates the finest aspects of Arab culture and history.
