Middle Eastern Jewellery
design - history - symbolismLearn about ethnic jewellery
Discover the world of traditional jewellery from the Middle East and North Africa! What is dowry jewellery? Which designs are typical for the Arab world and what is their history? Find out this and much more in the only e-courses of their kind, based on over 25 years of research and work with traditional silver jewellery and its world.
Explore the cultural context of traditional jewellery, its long history and its symbolism. Hear more about silversmiths, hallmarks and the importance of jewellery during a woman’s life, or dive into the world of perfume, henna, tattoos and hair – personal adornment is more than just jewellery!
Excited to expand your understanding of Middle Eastern jewellery? Scroll down to see the available courses: there is sure to be a topic you’d love to know more about!
See the courses on traditional jewellery from the Middle East
This course by Sigrid is a beautifully presented online course, offering well researched, informative insights into the history of beads and the cultures that use beads as adornment.
As a dancer and performer its important to know the origin and geographical journey of my jewellery, to understand and consider how a piece has been made.
For me old pieces of jewellery retain a spirit, of the women and the magic of times past.
Jewellery is a celebration of adornment, beauty as art, and Sigrid’s course brings all these wonderful elements together.
how to learn more about jewellery?
Achieve jewellery knowledge in 15 minutes a day
Learning about traditional jewellery from North Africa & the Middle East, and with time to spare for all the other important things that need your attention? My unique format makes it possible! Here’s how that works.
Each jewellery course is brought to you in 8 bite-sized videos of roughly 15 minutes. All courses are pre-recorded and online, so you’re welcome to watch at your own convenience.
It works for everyone! No timezone differences, no scheduling. Participants have enjoyed a course while commuting, during tea break, even as a bingewatch jewellery feast. And in 10 minutes from now… you could be watching, too!
These courses are not another item on your to do-list. These courses are the break you’ve been wanting!
‘I would love to learn more about ethnic jewellery, but I don’t know where to find the time…’ Sound familiar? Our days fill up quickly, so we are quick to skip those things we actually love. I fixed that for you!
I have designed these courses on Middle Eastern and North African jewellery with you in mind. I have broken every course down for you in easy, jewel-packed episodes. It’s the perfect jewellery break.
Treat yourself to a daily 15-20 minute moment of ‘me-time’. Come with me to the Middle East and its many cultures and traditions…jewellery opens up a new window on this beautiful part of the world!
North African & Middle Eastern adornment: courses for you!
This course is absolutely essential for any person who is interested in jewellery or studying it, as it covers topics that are often forgotten in the usual curriculum. Sigrid shares a lot of information and the presentation is amazing and perfectly organized. It is easy to follow, as you can do it at your own pace and there is a big plus with the great reading material and book recommendations she offers.
25 years with ethnic jewels
Your jewellery course instructor
All jewellery courses are researched, prepared and taught by Sigrid van Roode. I am an archaeologist and jewellery historian. I have been presenting workshops and jewellery talks for over 25 years now, and am the author of two books on ethnic jewellery from North Africa and the Middle East. My goal is to present academic level research in an accessible, fun and easy to follow style. I believe jewellery is not just adornment, but an important historic source that tells us so much about the lives of women – and I’ll be showing you in how many ways that works!
In my work as a museum researcher, I have been studying Middle Eastern and North African jewelry for the past four years, consuming as many resources as I could find. Sigrid’s online jewelry classes have been an excellent addition to my education on this subject matter. The presentations are easily understood, visually engaging, and I learn something new with each episode, even about topics I am already familiar with. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to understand more about the cultural context of adornment in these areas of the world, including those with no prior knowledge.
the jewellery courses with more!
Extra’s with the jewellery courses
E-book package
With each jewellery course, you will receive 8 full-colour e-books. These contain not only the course material, but also present you with book recommendations, online reading material and additional images. The e-books are yours to download and keep: your own ethnic jewellery library and starting point for more exploring!
Online community
You will have access to our private online community on Facebook. Here, you will be able to get any questions answered and enjoy the world of North African & Middle Eastern jewellery with other course participants from around the globe – with as many angles, comparisons and personal stories to share!
These courses are perfect when:
- you are interested in traditional jewellery and dress from North Africa and Southwest Asia, and in the history, traditions, and many cultures of the region;
- you work with ethnic dress and adornment from the region as curator, designer, tribal fusion dancer, instructor or collector;
- you inherited jewellery and would like to learn more about its background;
- you have lived or are living in the region as an expat and would like to understand more about its history and culture;
- you already know quite a good deal about your jewellery, but could use an overview of how it fits in the bigger picture of cultural customs, traditions and society;
- you are curious to look beyond your own culture or country;
- you care about jewellery and cherish jewellery items as the heritage pieces they are.
Want to learn more about ethnic jewellery? Start here!