Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Jewellery designer and gemologist Fatma Almheiri believes every gemstone carries a story. So when the UAE's first locally sourced gemstone was discovered, she knew its story had to shine.
The gemstone, named the "Spirit of the Emirates", is a natural red jasper extracted from the Al Siji region of Fujairah, its rough-cut surface a deep, earthy crimson. From it, Almheiri crafted two jewellery designs that capture Emirati heritage and the gem's own journey out of the mountain.
"My role is not limited to designing jewellery, but extends to conveying these stories to the world through pieces that carry meaning and identity," Almheiri told Aletihad.
The first piece, also named "Spirit of the Emirates", follows the gemstone's path from the mountains of Fujairah to a finished jewel — incorporating the mountain itself, a palm tree symbolising national heritage, architectural details inspired by Al Muwaiji Fort, and a natural pearl linking the UAE's pearl-diving past to its emerging gemstone industry.
The second, "Erth" (Heritage), is a brooch shaped like a camel's head, pairing a pearl from Ras Al Khaimah with the Fujairah jasper.
For Almheiri, a gem's worth is never just about how it looks. "Every gemstone in the world possesses a value that transcends its aesthetic rarity," she said. "Its value also lies in its geological history and place of origin."
Wearing one, she added, means carrying home a piece of that natural history. That's part of why she sees "strong potential" in the rare Emirati jasper, whose colours and patterns are distinctive enough to anchor a design of its own.
"Just as some countries have become associated with specific stones that reflect their identity and heritage, the UAE can also develop its own design language based on its local stones," she said. Paired with pearls, palm trees and Arabic calligraphy, these local gemstones could give Emirati jewellery a unique global identity.
A Gemologist's Expedition
Almheiri has always had a "genuine passion" for the earth and the treasure it holds. She admires jewellery, but it was curiosity about where gemstones actually come from that drew her to gemology, eventually taking her to mines across Africa and Asia in search of precious stones. She is now the first internationally accredited Emirati gemologist.
Her expeditions changed how she saw jewellery altogether. "When you see a stone deep underground and learn about the geological and human conditions it has endured before reaching the designer's hands, the way you approach it becomes completely different," she said.
To her, gemstones are no longer just raw material. They became "stories, journeys, and human experiences". And that perspective shows up in her designs, which are deeply connected to place, people and nature. Meaningful jewellery, she said, is defined by the story and identity it carries, not by appearance alone.
Building a Remarkable Industry
Almheiri is confident the UAE has what it takes to become a regional hub for gemstones and jewellery, pointing to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre's (DMCC) role in global gemstone trade and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's support for Emirati designers.
The next step, she said, is linking this trading infrastructure to homegrown design talent, backed by investment in scientific research and the documentation of local gemstones.
"When we combine global trade, institutional support, and national identity, we create a truly remarkable industry; not just gemstones, but a comprehensive Emirati narrative capable of competing globally," she said.
She's hoping more young Emiratis will help build it. Almheiri is calling for a new generation of geologists, gem experts, designers and researchers to enter the field.
"Do not be afraid to enter rare and unconventional fields," she said. "This sector is full of opportunities for those with passion, curiosity, and a willingness to learn."
