Inspiring women tell us what sentimental pieces they value the most.
Fatma Almheiri
Founder & Creative Director of Venus The Label
What is the most sentimental piece of jewellery that you own?
My mum’s vintage ring, it’s a yellow gold band with the words ‘I love you’ engraved with diamonds.
What’s the story behind it?
I’m actually not sure where she got it from or if it was passed on to her, but the fact that it reads ‘I love you’ makes it more special. My love for my mum is infinite and I’ve also been taking the ‘love’ approach to life. Love is the absence of judgment; love is not what you say but rather do. How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.
What’s your approach to timeless investments?
I’ve been investing in classic pieces that I’m sure I will wear no matter how long I have had them for and hopefully pass them on one day. I gifted myself a diamond tennis necklace for my birthday earlier this year and will surely invest in a timeless piece for the next one.
Salama Khalfan
Jewellery designer
What is the most sentimental piece of jewellery that you own?
I have quite a few pieces of jewellery in my safe that means so much to me. They have stories behind them and they remind me of people, feelings and places that I have experienced with them. However, I think the closest one to my heart and the most sentimental one is a diamond necklace; a diamond with a beautiful emerald heart at the centre of it that my father gifted to my mum after his first trip to Belgium.
What’s the story behind it?
I think it was during the seventies and I grew up watching my mother wear it without knowing how special it was to her. After my father passed away, she took it out of her safe and gave it to me. I feel very sentimental when I wear it and get overwhelmed with emotions. I wear it on days when I really miss him and need to feel closer to him.
What’s your approach to timeless investments?
I think due to the pandemic, people shifted their buying mindsets away from fast fashion and more into timeless pieces. More than the value they hold, we buy jewellery for the way it makes us feel hence we should buy pieces that elevate us and make us feel great when we wear them.
Fatma Al Otaiba
Founder of accessories brand, Odeem
What is the most sentimental piece of jewellery that you own?
I have several but the most recent would be a set of pearls, ruby and diamond, gifted to me by my mother.
What’s the story behind it?
It’s a set that I grew up seeing her wear since I was a child and years later as an adult. She doesn’t wear her pieces anymore and decided to gift us, her daughters, a set each. I love the set that she chose to gift. Although it was an emotional decision for her to give these pieces up willingly, it carries a lot of fond memories and feelings.
What’s your approach to timeless investments?
When I invest in pieces, it has to evoke an emotion and not follow a trend. For instance, I would buy a piece when I’m on a trip, so it holds a valuable memory for me. I love non-traditional pieces and that are timeless to me.
Honayda Serafi
Saudi fashion designer
What is the most sentimental piece of jewellery that you own?
It is an antique brooch, an authentic Hijazi brooch that I wear very often. It has traditionally been passed on in my family from one generation to another.
What’s the story behind it?
It was initially my mother’s brooch, and she had this idea to design the same one for each of her daughters and granddaughters as a sign of attachment to our precious family. I share an emotional connection to this brooch as it holds beautiful memories and happy moments. I can remember my mother wearing it to our gatherings and my siblings’ weddings and I hope the ritual keeps running in the family.
What’s your approach to timeless investments?
Emotional attachment is the main value of it. It is what makes the piece a timeless one. Jewellery must speak to you, and spark a special feeling in you, in that sense I find it very similar to art pieces, there are creations that move you. For a fact, I actually love to borrow pieces from my mother, and lend pieces of mine to my friends. I gave one of my very close friends my wedding tiara to wear at hers because sharing these with family and friends is what gives those pieces a profound meaning and this timeless value.
Hiba Jaber
Jewellery designer
What is the most sentimental piece of jewellery that you own?
It’s a jewel my husband got me on my 30th birthday.
What’s the story behind it?
It was a vintage Longines watch with a mystery dial from the year 1958, which is the year my dad was born (he passed away in 2013). I was actually speechless when he showed me and explained to me what was so creative and so meaningful.
What’s your approach to timeless investments?
When it comes to jewels; I like to build up my basics, and I focus on jewellery that has meaning. When they have a story, they become timeless, they are relevant to you in every time and space. In terms of fashion and bags, I go for classic styles that are iconic and that show great craftsmanship and have proven great growth over the years, they truly translate into investment pieces.
Yasmin Baker
First Emirati aerialist
What is the most sentimental piece of jewellery that you own?
Although I don’t wear them often, I have a few pieces of jewellery that I was gifted and are of sentimental value to me. These include traditional gold necklaces from my grandmother, gifts from my mother, and my wedding ring.
What’s the story behind it?
These pieces mean a lot to me because they signify the person I received them from, the memories I share with that person, their attributes, and the sense of closeness I have with them. The jewellery represents what I keep with me and can access it at any time I choose.
What’s your approach to timeless investments?
I view timeless investment much in the same way that I regard the timeless gifts I have been fortunate to receive from loved ones – how can I leave a part of me with someone who matters? How can I leave a symbolic message that resonates with that person, even when I am not physically present?
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