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 134 articles. Use the search bar or the drop-down menu above to find what you’re looking for: enjoy!
Parfums d’Orient: book
Parfums d’Orient: the catalogue of the exhibition on fragrance in North Africa and the Middle East.
Ethnic jewels: silver content
What is the silver content of ethnic jewellery? Learn how to navigate descriptions, ask specific information and understand the answer!
5 rookie mistakes
You will really want to avoid these 5 mistakes in jewellery collecting! I made them, so I should know.
Islamic amulet cases
Islamic amulet cases: discover the surprising history in their shapes!
100 jewellery blogs
100 blogs on traditional jewellery from the Middle East and North Africa: the good, the amazing and the ugly.
Ancient jewellery: Lebanon
What is the history of Lebanese jewellery? Let ancient trade routes, face beads and Phoenicians take you along!
Foulet Khamsa
Foulet Khamsa from Morocco: the surprising truth behind its name!
THOBNA
THOBNA: a must-read book on Palestinian dress and identity by Wafa Ghnaim.
A Palestinian wuqaya
A wuqaya headdress from Ramallah and Jerusalem: who wore this, and how did a German token coin end up with it?
Gold dinars at a glance
Medieval Islamic gold dinars: an overview!
Oman Adorned
Oman Adorned: what is this book about and how do I get it?
Tuareg silver&carnelian ring
A silver Tuareg ring with a pointy carnelian: a hair ring, or a finger ring? Learn to identify them in this article!
Perfume jewels: meskia
What is a meskia from Algeria and Tunisia? See its history and meaning in this blog!
Bedouin jewellery: Intro
What is Bedouin jewellery? For starters, it’s not limited to the Arab Peninsula…you might be surprised to learn where Bedouin jewellery can be found.
Dictionnaire des Bijoux
The Dictionnaire des Bijoux de l’Afrique du Nord by Paul Eudel – with a free pdf of this classic book!
Parfums d’Orient
Parfums d’Orient in the Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris
Jewellery clasps
A great reference book for all sorts of clasps and closing mechanisms in jewellery.
Palestine jewels: Bethlehem
Traditional silver jewellery from Bethlehem: from the iconic shatweh to the haydari bracelets – illustrated with rarely published photographs.
Making their mark
‘Making their Mark: women silversmiths from Oman’. Read more about this exhibition in the British Museum!
Ancient Egyptian jewellery
What is the history of Egyptian jewellery? This historic overview of jewellery along the Nile gives you the basics!
Ancient Palestinian jewellery
What is the history of Palestinian jewellery? These silver hoards, glass beads and gold jewellery finds tell you more!
The evil eye in jewellery
What is evil eye jewellery? Is that bad or good? Find out in this blog!
Why do jinn fear iron?
Why are jinn scared of iron? An exploration into the origins of a worldwide folk belief
What is ‘real’ jewellery?
Is jewellery with plastic or cheap components the real deal, or are you being duped? If you ever wondered: read this.
UNESCO 1970
UNESCO 1970 explained for collectors of jewellery from North Africa and the Middle East: what to be aware of when buying or selling ethnic silver jewellery?
Rings as amulets
Can a ring be an amulet? This blog explores rings as amulets in North Africa & the Middle East.
Jewellery Museum Pforzheim
A visit to the Jewellery Museum in Pforzheim: what to expect?
Photography: 5 tips
How to snap that quick and useful picture of ethnic jewellery?
Intricacy and doves
Learn to read the symbolism and history of a Tunisian silver bracelet in this post.
Glanz und Geheimnis
Bedouin jewellery from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen and the Levant in this beautiful exhibition!