Omani Designer Revitalizes Traditional Jewelry with Modern Aesthetics

Omani Designer Advances Sustainable, Heritage-Inspired Jewelry Art

Nizwa: Omani designer Afrah Al Ishaqi continues to make her mark in the field of jewelry design, presenting contemporary works that draw inspiration from Omani landscapes, national heritage, Islamic art and human narratives.

Afrah bint Nasser Al Ishaqi, professor at the University of Nizwa and jewelry designer, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that her approach integrates cultural and artistic elements through the study of symbols and visual motifs. She reimagines these elements in modern forms using a combination of digital design tools, hand sketching and traditional goldsmithing techniques such as sawing, soldering, shaping and polishing.

She noted that one of the main challenges in the field is achieving balance between artistic value and commercial feasibility, in addition to sourcing specific materials and accessing technical expertise locally. She added that raising public appreciation for handcrafted design requires continued awareness efforts, emphasizing her ambition to support emerging talents and enhance the role of art and design as a source of long-term inspiration.

Afrah highlighted her commitment to sustainability, stating that she selects materials that reflect environmental and social responsibility. She believes that the future of design lies in mindful creativity that respects nature and communities.

Through her brand “Jewelara,” she has developed a modern identity for Omani jewelry by blending traditional cultural symbols with contemporary aesthetics. Her work preserves the authenticity of Omani craftsmanship while introducing refined and innovative forms.

She said that her design process focuses on transforming ideas into pieces enriched with symbolic and emotional meaning. Each creation aims to merge tradition with modernity, offering distinctive artistic expression that resonates with the wearer.

Her portfolio includes notable designs created for HH Sayyedah Basma bint Fakhri Al Said and for Sayyedah Wafa bint Hilal Al Busaidi, inspired respectively by the historical character of Nizwa and the Omani frankincense blossom.

Afrah has been honored among distinguished Omani women on Omani Women’s Day and recognized at the “Elegance Fashion Show,” a Pan-Gulf and Arab event. She also received the 2025 award for Best Jewelry Designer in the Sultanate of Oman. Her work has been featured in Anaqati magazine, where she presented her brand identity with professionalism and artistic clarity.