‘Spirit of the Emirates’: UAE unveils first locally sourced gemstone at Sharjah watch and jewellery show
New stone strengthens domestic jewellery supply chain and creative economy
SHARJAH – The Emirati Goldsmiths Platform has unveiled the UAE’s first locally sourced gemstone during its participation at the 57th edition of the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show (WJMES) at Expo Centre Sharjah.
The gemstone, named “Spirit of the Emirates”, has been developed from natural red jasper extracted from the Al Siji region of Fujairah in collaboration with the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation. The launch represents a major step in highlighting the UAE’s geological resources while supporting the growth of a locally driven jewellery ecosystem.
The platform’s participation at WJMES, held with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), featured 20 Emirati designers from across the UAE, including seven female designers taking part for the first time. The showcase reflected the growing presence of local talent within the jewellery sector and highlighted efforts to create opportunities for designers, entrepreneurs and emerging brands.
Spirit of the Emirates
The newly introduced Emirati jasper forms the centrepiece of the platform’s latest developments, connecting the UAE’s natural landscape with contemporary luxury craftsmanship. The gemstone’s introduction also marks the expansion of the local jewellery value chain, moving beyond design and retail into areas such as sourcing, procurement and material development.
As part of the launch, Emirati designer Fatima Al Muhairi, recognised as the first internationally accredited young Emirati specialist in gemology, presented two signature pieces crafted using the locally sourced jasper.
The first creation, titled “Spirit of the Emirates”, tells the story of the gemstone’s journey from its origin in Fujairah’s geological landscape to a finished jewellery piece. The design incorporates symbolic elements including the mountain where the jasper was extracted, a palm tree representing national heritage and architectural details inspired by Al Muwaiji Fort. A natural pearl included in the piece connects the UAE’s traditional pearl-diving history with the emerging chapter of locally sourced gemstones.
The second creation, named “Erth” (Heritage), is a distinctive brooch shaped like a camel’s head. The piece combines jasper from Al Siji in Fujairah with a pearl from Al Suwaidi Pearls Farm in Ras Al Khaimah, bringing together two important elements of the UAE’s natural and cultural identity.
The Emirati jasper features a natural red colour, a hardness level of 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale and a waxy-to-glassy lustre, giving it qualities suitable for luxury jewellery applications. These characteristics support its potential as a commercially viable gemstone for locally designed and produced jewellery collections.
Industry growth
The Emirati Goldsmiths Platform also highlighted the progress of its members in developing stronger roles across the jewellery industry. Several participants have moved into commercial supply activities, including one member becoming the first Emirati gemstone supplier by sourcing authentic stones from international mines and museums to support local jewellery designers.
The initiative is evolving into a broader entrepreneurship-focused ecosystem, helping Emirati designers participate across different stages of the jewellery sector. Alongside design and sales opportunities, the platform is encouraging greater involvement in sourcing, supply and innovation.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said SCCI’s support for the platform contributes to the success of local designers and enables them to introduce new concepts to the jewellery industry.
He added that the launch of the first Emirati gemstone represents a significant milestone that strengthens the domestic jewellery value chain and supports the competitiveness of the UAE’s gold and jewellery sector.
Mona Al Suwaidi, Director of the Executive Office of SCCI’s Chairman and in charge of the Emirati Goldsmiths Platform, said the development of the “Spirit of the Emirates” gemstone was made possible through cooperation with the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation.
She noted that the platform’s role has expanded from supporting designers and direct sales into building an integrated system focused on entrepreneurship, supply-chain participation and access to locally sourced resources.
Creative showcase
The exhibition also featured the participation of people of determination through the “Al Shoufa” design, which attracted attention from visitors and demonstrated the creative potential of inclusive participation within the jewellery sector.
Designers displayed collections combining traditional Emirati influences with modern luxury concepts, presenting gold jewellery featuring diamonds and precious gemstones alongside pieces inspired by cultural heritage and environmental themes.
The showcase reflected a balance between preserving Emirati identity and meeting contemporary luxury market expectations. Collections explored different styles and consumer preferences, demonstrating the ability of local designers to create jewellery aligned with regional and international trends.
Among the participating brands, “Durri Jewellery”, a registered Emirati jewellery brand, presented collections focused on natural pearls and UAE-cultured marine pearls. The brand showcased designs inspired by Emirati heritage, combining traditional elements with modern artistic approaches.