Bedouin Silver
Discover the Stories Behind Middle Eastern JewelleryReliable resources on North African and Middle Eastern jewellery for collectors and jewellery enthusiasts
No, we don’t sell jewellery here – we help you understand it, so you can collect to your heart’s content!
Everything on traditional jewellery from North Africa and the Middle East in one place!
Collecting ethnic jewellery and wishing you’d knew a little more about it? Or even wondering what to do with your collection? I’ve got you!
Jewellery Blog: Start here for articles on ethnic jewellery: from the power of amulets to practical tips on organizing your collection. New blogs are added weekly!
Collectors’ Corner: Avoid costly mistakes, become an informed buyer, and get a grip on your collection – from cleaning to storing!
Free e-books: Dig a little deeper and get going with your collection in these step-by-step tutorials. Or simply enjoy the free jewellery calendar…!
Online courses: The only jewellery courses of their kind in the world! A self-paced ethnic jewellery deep dive – indispensable when you’re serious about your jewellery. Fees starting at 29,50 euros for a full course.
Private consult: Let’s work together on your jewellery – limited places available.
Hello! I am Sigrid van Roode, and I believe personal adornment is more than adornment only. It is heritage. It tells us about the lives of women in the way that no history book does. Scroll down to see more!
Arabic kohl and its material culture: history, tradition and UNESCO recognition
The cultural heritage of Arabic kohl, from its use to its containers, is recognised as UNESCO intangible heritage. This blog tells you why!
bedouin silver blog
Jewellery Blog
‘What does the symbolism in Middle Eastern jewellery mean? How do I clean ethnic silver? What is Arab jewellery? How do I recognize real ethnic jewellery?’ The blog covers everything related to adornment and culture from North Africa and Southwest Asia, and you will also find info on related fields such as archeological jewellery and jewellery studies. Browse tips, how-to’s and surprising facts about Middle Eastern jewellery that you will not find anywhere else – click on the image for the latest article or follow the link below!
bedouin silver online course
Jewellery courses online
Where can I learn more about traditional Middle Eastern jewellery? Enroll in one of the only online courses devoted entirely to personal adornment from North Africa and Southwest Asia. Discover the world of jewellery history, design, symbolism, silversmiths, dowry, henna, perfume and much more – including an important, but often overlooked need for collectors: a practical course on how to organise your collection for the future.
Get the kind of insight that helps you assess the authenticity and origin of your jewellery! Let me show you how to read jewellery and see the lives, dreams, fears and hopes of generations of women unfold themselves. You will never look at jewellery the same again. You could be enjoying breathtaking jewellery views in just 10 minutes from now….!
Media I appeared in
Who is Sigrid van Roode?
It’s great to meet you! I am a jewellery historian and archaeologist. My story with personal adornment began over 25 years ago in Cairo. There, I came across Bedouin silver jewellery for the first time, and realized that like archaeology, jewellery is heritage. Jewellery is a historic source, and has so much to tell about the world it comes from!
I have a PhD in jewellery and ritual, and I work with museums and private collections to ensure this heritage has a long and meaningful future. I write books, curate exhibitions, give talks and in general love to share the stories of adornment. This website contains plenty of those: I wish you happy browsing!
Partners I have worked with
