These designers are proudly celebrating their heritage, interweaving the Arabic language, talismans, and personal storytelling into their creations.
For Arab women and men alike, jewellery is more than just a dainty necklace sitting pretty on a neck or layered gold bangles chiming on a wrist.
Passed down through generations, jewellery carries stories of survival through turbulent times and regional heritage, while always retaining its value. Beyond its practical worth, jewelry has always been a cultural investment. From the days of Bedouin tribes and gold trades—where it symbolised power and abundance—to today's modern shoppers, where it’s primarily used for adornment, sacred vows, or investing, jewellery remains a popular choice for commemorating moments, preserving memories, and expressing personal style.
In recent years, a new wave of Arab jewellery designers has emerged, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. These designers are proudly celebrating their heritage, interweaving cultural symbolism, the Arabic language, talismans, and personal storytelling into their creations.
Bee Goddess Jewellery- Turkey/United Kingdom
Worn by international celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, and Madonna, mixes the best of tradition and modernity in its designs. ‘Inspired by the light of Mother Goddess,’ Bee Goddess Jewellery channels spirituality in jewellery design, merging Eastern mysticism with precious stones.
Jude Benhalim- Egypt
The brand focuses on sustainability, using recycled materials and supporting Egyptian women artisans. It has been styled by international stars like Kendall Jenner, Karen Wazen, Adriana Lima, and Candice Swanepoel.
Charmaleena Jewellery - Saudi Arabia
This Saudi brand designs versatile pieces that reflect the essence of Arabian culture, focusing on narrating through these modern heirlooms. Worn by the likes of Naomi Campbell, Nojoud Al Rahmani, and even Cristiano Ronaldo, this Saudi brand is a celebrity favourite.
Alexandra Hakim Jewellery - Lebanon/United Kingdom
Inspired by her global adventures, Alexandra Hakim's jewellery has travelled as much as the founder, worn by international stars like Rihanna, Gabrielle Union, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Emma Roberts. By transforming found objects into precious metal pieces, she crafts pieces with a spirit of wanderlust and environmental responsibility.
L’Atelier Nawbar - Lebanon
A brand with a four-generation legacy, L’Atelier Nawbar has been adorned by international celebrities such as Charli XCX, Sofia Vergara, Anna Kendrick, Shawn Mendes, and Jenna Ortega. From their grandfather to their father, the label continues to embody their family’s tradition of artisanal craftsmanship and vibrant designs.
Begum Khan - Turkey
Begum Khan's jewellery, characterised by its ethereal beauty, merges mystical elements from the Orient, Far East, and Ottoman Empire with contemporary designs, specialising in pieces inspired by animal motifs such as bees, ladybugs, beetles, and birds. This brand is a favourite among celebrities such as Colombian actress Sofia Vergara, American singer Katy Perry, and supermodel Natalia Vodianova.
Beenish Mahmood Fine Jewellery- UAE
The UAE-based Pakistani designer's obsession with jewels began in her childhood and has continued to grow with her brand. Beenish Mahmood’s designs are a celebration of the whimsical, with butterflies, birds, sunflowers, pine cones, and more often taking centre stage.
Bil Arabi - UAE
By fusing the artistic expression of typography with unique design elements, the brand delivers jewellery that leaves a lasting impression. Their signature is re-imagining calligraphic forms, modernising the essence of Arabic heritage, as spotted on regional celebrities like Nadine Njeim, Mona Zaki, Balqees Fathi, and Elyanna.
Martyre - Palestine/United States of America
A unisex jewellery brand founded by celebrities Anwar Hadid and Yoni Laham, Martyre aims to revive the symbolism of jewellery as a declaration of love or a piece holding singular memories. This label has been spotted on international A-listers like Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Nick Jonas, Timothée Chalamet, and the co-founder’s sister, Bella Hadid.
La Graine Fine Jewellery- UAE
La Graine Fine Jewellery draws inspiration from the delicate allure of grains, as its name suggests. To the founder, there’s beauty in the little things, and that’s what they incorporate in their collections, utilising gemstones like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds to craft leaf-shaped rings and floral earrings.
Tamarzizt - Tunis/Paris
Tamarzizt is another jewellery brand that fuses Eastern and Western influences, creating unique pieces with bright colours, geometric shapes, and intricate details. Inspired by American icon Cher, vibrant cultures, and wanderlust-filled travels, their collections offer a modern and sophisticated blend of styles.
Didon Jewellery - Tunis
Drawing influence from the legacy of the Queen of Carthage and the raw beauty of the Mediterranean Sea, the Tunisian founder manifests that into minimalistic yet sculptural designs that aim to complement the modern-day heroine or strong women. This brand has been worn by notable Arab stars such as Hend Sabry, Salma Abudeif, Deema Al Asadim, and Balqees Fathi.
Zome - UAE
Zome's jewellery showcases a blend of intricate craftsmanship and the beauty of coloured gemstones. Inspired by the founder’s passion for vibrant colours and artisanal techniques, the brand combines a bold and edgy aesthetic.
Noudar Jewels - Qatar
Blending influences from treasures of Arabian civilization, Islamic traditions, and a modern take on jewellery, the brand has been styled by the likes of Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Hailey Bieber, Nina Dobrev, and more, making a mark in the Western world as well.
Shamsa Alabbar – UAE
The eponymous label draws inspiration from Arabic typography, clean geometric lines, and symmetrical forms, resulting in gorgeous, sleek jewellery that stands out. Shamsa Alabbar has also achieved prominent collaborations, such as with Swiss watchmaker and jeweller Piaget and UAE fashion designer Manaal Alhammadi.
ZM Collections - Egypt/UAE
Inspired by the exploration of land, sea, and people, ZM Collections calls to the wild dreamers with their mermaid-inspired pieces and earthy tones that celebrate sustainability and the art of preservation, as seen on Jamila Awad, Dina El Sherbiny, Enjy Kiwan, and Sherif Fayed.
Nov 17, 2024
