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!
Creating Splendour & Shine
Interview with Irene Steiner on the occasion of her exhibition Splendour & Shine.
A wider world
Lover’s Eyes
A gorgeous study of Lover’s Eyes jewellery, with great detail and exquisite photography of these stunning jewels!
Numerology in jewellery
A blog post examining how numerology shapes jewellery design in the Middle East—exploring the symbolic power of numbers such as three, five and seven in traditional amulets and adornment.
Personal Adornment
Review of Personal Adornment and the Construction of Identity.
Magic of Amber
The many beliefs attached to amber in amulets and jewellery!
Bahariya discs: Coptic magic
Bahariya discs from Egypt: their history and meaning.
Berber Memories
A monumental book presenting a fabulous private collection of Amazigh jewellery: not to be missed!
A shackled jinn from Oman
An Omani necklace with a hidden shackled jinn: what does this represent?
Juifs du Maroc
A small but delightful book on the photography of Jean Beseancenot: read more about it here.
Wild Beads of Africa
Book review of Wild Beads of Africa: what is in this book and why would you want to read it?
Knot magic in adornment
Knot magic in jewellery from North Africa & the Middle East: history and uses.
Costumes of Saudi Arabia
The colourful variety of Saudi Arabia traditional dress: a beautifully illustrated book!
Magic Squares
An introduction into magic squares in jewellery: what are they, and what do they mean?
Crescent and star symbolism
A blog post exploring the meanings of the crescent and star symbol in jewellery from North Africa and Southwest Asia. Learn how this celestial motif is used in amulets, adornment, and cultural expression.
Magical knowledge
Magical knowledge in traditional silver jewellery from the Middle East: who knows what?
Early Photography Portraits
What you should know about early photography portraits from the Middle East and 3 ways to look at them.
Jewels of the Nile
Arab Costumes & Jewelry
Splendor and Shine
Stereotype
Talking with…Dr Reem el Mutwalli
Brand New Vintage
When jewellery looks brand new, but is demonstrably vintage….Is it real? Is it authentic?
Cleaning: what to think of
Avoid disaster: consider these 4 things before you clean any jewellery at all!
Silk Roads
Sultani
Tatreez and Tea
Wafa Ghnaim’s first book highlights the heritage, cultural context and importance of tatreez from a Palestinian perspective.
Ancient Egyptian Jewelry
Photographing Jewelry
Paint It, Black
The most beautiful book on kohl containers, including detailed photographs of stunning pieces from a private collection.
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.