Jewellery Blog
essentials and insider factsThis blog brings you the essentials on jewellery from North Africa & the Middle East, ancient jewellery and more. It contains 183 articles. Use the search bar or the drop-down menu above to find what you’re looking for: enjoy!
When the past is reimagined: how ancient jewellery got a makeover
How museum jewellery got reimagined: this blog explores restrung antiquities, mislabelled artefacts, and the blurry line between archaeology and ethnography.
Behind the scenes of independent research
Life as a jewellery historian: a peek behind the unglamourous scenes of independent research!
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!
Exploring the Traditional Jewellery House at al-Shindagha Museum
The Traditional Jewellery House in al-Shindagha Museum, Dubai: a beautifully curated exhibit that showcases the rich jewellery traditions of the UAE within a larger cultural and historical context.
Al Shindagha Museum Dubai: introduction
Explore Dubai’s Al Shindagha Museum: 22 themed heritage houses on jewellery, dress, crafts, maritime life and the history of Dubai Creek. A cultural guide for material-culture enthusiasts!
The Louvre Jewellery Heist: what we’re really losing when jewels are stolen
The 2025 Louvre heist is more than a movie plot. It’s a reminder of how much history, identity, and craftsmanship disappear when jewellery is stolen or destroyed.
Eternal Jewels: Lee Kangwon’s Collector’s Journey Through World Jewellery
Read “Eternal Jewels,” Lee Kangwon’s breathtaking jewellery collection and story—where personal legacy meets world heritage and timeless beauty.
The most common symbols in Middle Eastern jewellery and their meanings
Learn the most common symbols in Middle Eastern jewellery. Explore the meanings of the khamsa hand, eye motifs, triangles, amulet containers, and jingling sound elements.
When jewellery is called museum quality — and when it’s not
What does ‘museum quality’ jewellery really mean? Learn how museums collect, why the term is misused by sellers, and what parameters truly matter.
When a €30 diamond crashes the system: rethinking jewellery’s worth
Zeeman’s €30 lab-grown diamond pendant sparks lawsuits and debate: what makes jewellery valuable, and who decides?
Please don’t cook with Cartier
I loved Meghan’s Netflix show – but as a jewellery person, it leaves me anxious. From flour to lemon juice, everyday tasks can harm jewellery. Here’s why!
The Ottoman-style kirdan in the Middle East
Discover the Ottoman-style kirdan: chokers from Egypt, Syria, and Tunisia. A jewellery historian explores their history, style, and cultural meaning.
Bodemjuweeltjes/Gems Unearthed
An exhibition combining archaeological and traditional jewellery of The Netherlands
Amazigh tattoos in Morocco: symbols, life and identity
Explore the cultural and symbolic meanings behind Amazigh (Berber) tattoos in Morocco—from rites of passage to tribal identity in women’s body art.
EU regulation on cultural goods: what collectors need to know
From June 2025, EU Regulation 2019/880 sets licence requirements for importing cultural goods, including ancient jewellery and jewellery from the Middle East and North Africa – what every collector should understand.
Amazigh fibulas of North Africa
What are Amazigh fibulas? Learn their anatomy, symbolism, and cultural meaning in North Africa’s living jewellery traditions.
Silver grooming sets from Afghanistan: everyday tools with many meanings
From earspoons to toothpicks, Afghan silver grooming tools combined function with protection. Discover their role in jewellery and daily life.
Verdigris in Middle Eastern jewellery
Learn how to identify verdigris on traditional Middle Eastern jewellery, why it damages metalwork, and what collectors should watch for.
Oriental woman with sineklik
What does jewellery reveal in Orientalist paintings? Explore Pinel de Grandchamp’s ‘Oriental Woman with Sineklik’ and its Egyptian ornamentation.
Mermaid imagery in Egyptian amulets: protection & meaning
The terrifying truth behind mermaid imagery: mermaid imagery on amulets combined beauty and protective belief in Egypt. How these motifs responded to fears, disease, and belief in water spirits.
Ancient jewellery: Iraq
Discover ancient jewellery from Mesopotamia and Iraq: materials, craftsmanship, and cultural meaning in one of the cradles of civilisation!
What to do when gold gets too expensive?
Gold prices are rising — discover how communities have turned to silver, imitations, rentals, and heritage jewellery as alternatives.
Jewellery and Ramadan
Can you wear jewellery during Ramadan? Find out this and more!
Portrait of a Syrian Woman: jewellery, dress, and identity
Jewellery in art: how jewellery and costume in Portaels’ Portrait of A Syrian Woman reflect regional identity in 19th-century Syria/Palestine.
What is an amulet in jewellery? Meaning and tradition
What makes jewellery an amulet? Learn about symbols, inscriptions, materials, and cultural beliefs shaping protective jewellery traditions.
Ancient jewellery: Syria
Ancient Syrian jewellery reveals history from shell beads to Palmyra splendour and medieval goldworking in Raqqa.
Jewellery and the senses: sound
When jewellery falls silent, what do we miss?
The Fascination of Jewellery
European jewellery history in an exhibition with a great catalogue!
Clove jewellery: fragrant necklaces in Middle Eastern & North African traditions
Discover the role of cloves in jewellery from Morocco to Palestine. Learn about clove necklaces in weddings, amulets against spirits, and the symbolism of fragrance.
Henna art: World Heritage
Henna art is World Heritage! Why is this important?
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bedouin Silver Blog
What topics are covered on this jewellery blog?
The blog covers a wide range of topics on Middle Eastern and North African jewellery, including amulets, symbols, ancient jewellery, collectors’ tips, book reviews, cultural traditions, and museum insights.
Who writes the blog articles?
All articles are written by Sigrid van Roode, PhD, a jewellery historian and published author. The blog draws on academic research, museum collections, and fieldwork to provide reliable and engaging insights.
Is the information on this blog reliable?
Yes. This blog is a research-based resource. Articles are referenced and grounded in academic publications, peer-reviewed studies, and documented collections, making it a trusted reference for jewellery history and cultural traditions.
How often are new articles published?
New blog articles are added regularly. With over 175 posts already available, the collection continues to grow as new topics are researched and written.
Is the blog suitable for beginners or only for specialists?
The blog is written in an accessible, conversational style. It is suitable for jewellery enthusiasts, collectors, museum professionals, bellydancers, and anyone curious about cultural heritage.
Can I explore specific themes within the blog?
Yes. The articles are grouped into themes such as Magic & Amulets, Cultures & People, Objects of Adornment, Book Reviews, Tips for Collectors, and Museum Reviews, making it easy to explore specific areas of interest.