Category / Jewelry

by abraralebrahim

THAMANIYA COLLECTION | The power of number 8

In 2014, as I recall, I was connected to a Numerologist and Kinesiologist from London who visits Kuwait twice a year and offers sessions and healing guidance through those holistic methods. It was the first time I had discovered that my energy number was 8.

I saw that knowledge as a way of understanding myself from other perspectives, I am not saying that is is the absolute truth, but I like to explore the possibility of several truths that will allow me to question my purpose, my actions and behaviors and understand my state of being. Or at least attempt to understand it.

Number 8, in numerology is associated with power. But power, in any form, cannot be maintained without balance. Eight is ruled by the Sun and is considered extrovert and is the highest feminine number.

The number 8 symbolizes the principle of domination, control and the executive decision-maker. The 8 person tends to be somewhat formal, stern and hard-headed. Eight is the number of the natural leader with a good grasp of how to accomplish any goal. More comfortable in the realm of material, tangible facts, the 8 person will be truly exceptional as soon as they develop their spiritual connection and natural intuition. The 8 energy must learn compassion as it is one of their ‘life lessons’.

There is always two polarities to any energy in order for it to be balanced. therefore, what are strengths in anything are also and at the same time it’s challenges and weaknesses. As 8 is the symbol of infinity, the constant flow of energy, perpetual motion and the continuance of life. Balance in understanding its energy flow is very important.

Abusir, 2018

In 2018, I visited the Pyramids in Giza and Saqqara on a meditation journey after undergoing a very challenging emotional time. Growing up as a child and then studying Architecture, I was always mesmerised by the geometry and magnified scale and history of the Pyramids. I have visited many archeological sites around the world, but the Pyramids had always been an experience I wanted to go through spiritually.

Pyramids of Giza, 2018

Meditating in the Pyramids was one of the most intense meditation experiences I| have ever had. The journey was that of discipline. It was also an experience in becoming fearless.

One evening, at the group dinner, we started a conversation about the geometry of the structures. I was blown away when I found out that the Pyramids were not four sided, but rather had eight sides.

The eight-sides were discovered entirely by accident in 1940 when a British Air Force Pilot, P. Groves, flew over the pyramid and realised the concavity.

I. E. S. Edwards, an English Egyptologist considered to be a leading expert on the pyramids wrote: “In the Great Pyramid the packing-blocks were laid in such a way that they sloped slightly inwards towards the center of each course, with a result that a noticeable depression runs down the middle of each face — a peculiarity shared, as far as is known, by no other pyramid” (The Pyramids of Egypt, 1975, p. 207).

During that trip, and inspired by the eight sided pyramids of Giza, I designed my latest collection of jewelry. I called it THAMANIYA, Eight, in Arabic. A tribute to power, to resilience and to balance. A collection that will forever remind me of a journey into becoming a better me, and I hope you find inspiration from the energy of THAMANIYA.

THAMANIYA COLLECTION

The collection is designed in celebration of the geometrical forms of the Eight-sided pyramids in Giza, the only eight- sided pyramids in the world. It is made in 18 Kt Yellow Gold, with white diamonds on the tips. The pyramids in the collection come in three sizes is earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and chokers.

THAMANIYA COLLECTION

You can view my full collection on instagram @thhaba and it will soon be available on the website, although you can contact us directly to inquire about them and to make a purchase.

Believing in a supreme power of the universe of an energy filed that effects our state of being and living is not an ideology for everyone. Your believes are the most sacred and most personal truths that you have with yourself and no human being has the right to judge or dictate that sacred relationship you have within you. whether you chose to believe in anything or nothing is your free will, and is the free will of all human beings in this universe.

by abraralebrahim

THHABA X ABDULLAH AL AWADHI

Our first collaboration

Abdullah Alawadhi was my teacher when I was studying Architecture in Kuwait University. Soon after I graduated, I worked as his Teaching Assistant in Architectural Design Studio at the University. Our friendship started in the summer of 2003 in the magical city of Venice during a school trip, he has been my brother for over 15 years, and for that I am blessed.

One Ramadan evening, over the dining table in his father’s house after a lovely family iftar, conversations of existentialism gave birth to the idea of collaborating with a collection of jewelry that represents (and challenges) spirituality. I have learned so much from Abdullah throughout the years, his existence in my life has opened me up and allowed me to experience new states of being, and this collection is a celebration of what he teaches me, to always think (and listen) with my heart and my mind.

“And He found thee wandering, and He gave thee guidance.” – Ad-Duha (7)

The Quran is the holly book of Islam. It is believed to be the words of Allah channeled through his last prophet, Mohammad, Peace be upon him. In school, we are taught that the Quran has descended from the heavens for all humanity with a message for all sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. That, on itself is a very deep idea. Nevertheless, I still observe that many Muslims do not trust themselves in understanding the messages that were sent to them and therefore rely on interpretations by certain religious scholars.

As I was sitting with Abdullah at the table sketching the verses that he was explaining to me with such spiritual beauty and romance, the collection was born.

We selected verses from the Quran that are simple in their interpretations and sharp in their meaning knowing that it will be challenging for us to introduce such a collection to Kuwait.

“(It is:) freeing the bondman” – Al-Balad (13)

We decided to design a collection of silver genderless jewelry, with messages that you carry close to your heart or wear them as states of mind and being. The choice is yours, of what to place on your body as a prayer for yourself, and for others.

Designed in 925 Oxidized Silver, each piece in this collection is engraved at the back with the Aya and Sura from which it is taken from the Quran, and interpretations can be found in several books, but I suggest you listen to your heart and mind and find the message in it for you.

Find the collection on our website www.thhaba.com . International shipping available.

by abraralebrahim

The Karats of Gold | Knowing your finesse

I have vivid memories of when I was 6 years old and would walk hand in hand with my grandmother in the small ally ways of the Mubarakiya Market early in the morning on a mission to sell some old pieces of gold jewelry she has. We would enter several shops before she can make the decision for it all depended on how close to the gold market price are they willing to buy.

I came to understand how every day the price of gold would rise or fall and why are we buying jewelry that costs more per gram than pure gold as the price per gram for manufacturing is negotiated, I enjoyed observing the process and memorizing the gold price each day we went and comparing it with her to the earlier times we went.

In the late 80’s and early 90’s in the G.C.C., women were mostly interested in 22K and 21K gold jewelry that was sometimes adorned with pearls and precious stones, diamond jewelry was not very sought after and was worn in weddings and bridal sets. Later in the 90’s and 2000’s diamonds were becoming more popular and 18K gold and White Gold was growing in popularity. Rose Gold however came later in the 2000’s as brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels became more popular amongst the younger women.

White Gold and 18K Gold was referred to as “Italian Gold”, because as the name implies, that is where it was imported from before the technology to manufacture it locally was introduced after the market demanded.  

So, what is the difference between all of those karats of gold?

To break it down in a simple way, Gold is mixed with other metals to make it an alloy suitable for jewelry making and stone setting. Copper, silver, palladium and zinc are added to the gold in different percentages which effect the color and hardness of the gold alloy.

24K Gold (99.5% pure gold and above)

Pure gold is made of 24 parts gold. It is less dense and therefore softer and more pliable and rarely if ever used for jewelry. Gold coins and bars are bought of 24K and it takes a bright and saturated yellow color.

22K Gold (91.7% gold)

22K is made of 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals making this alloy common in jewelry making. 22K Gold is still considered a soft metal and is therefore only used in plain gold jewelry and it is not preferable for jewelry that is heavily studded with stones or diamonds. Pearl Jewelry in the Arabian Gulf Countries is made of 22K gold which also has a bright yellow color.

18K Gold (75% gold)

18K is gold alloy with 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals, it is harder than 22K and therefore ideal for setting diamonds and precious stones, it has a paler yellow color and is lower in price than 22K.

In Kuwait, it is illegal to sell any gold bellow 18K and state that it is “Gold Jewelry”, any piece of jewelry bellow 18K is considered an accessory in Kuwait. It is also mandatory for all Gold Jewelry shop owners to take a copy of the client’s Identification and contact number and submit them when needed to the National Committee Against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing.

by abraralebrahim

ISHQ COLLECTION | Finding love in Goa

I was introduced to meditation on May of 2008 as I was taking the Basic Pranic Healing Course with May Al Najjar. It was difficult for me at first to understand the concept of silencing my mind and floating in the universe, and me being a person that does not accept failing at something I put my “mind” into, I was concentrating so much on loosening up that meditating was challenging for me for quite a while. But I was on a path, and there was nowhere to go but up, at my own pace.

Spirituality has changes the way I perceive life. It has opened my eyes (all three of them) to new worlds, infinite worlds but most importantly, it altered my understanding of LOVE.

In this collection, I celebrate a state of love called ISHQ and I celebrate it with a spinning dervish channeling the love that is God, longing for it to be his in a poem by Jalalludin Rumi.

This poem touched me so deeply as I was away on a small getaway in solitude in beautiful Goa. I was staying at the Grand Hyatt and did not plan on leaving the hotel for a while, and I did not have to. I spent most of my days by the pool, with my Rumi book and laptop soaking up the beautiful sun and enjoying delicious south Indian seafood. By then, I had practiced meditation and I can’t express enough how magical it is when you are in a state of love.

The ‘ISHQ” Collection is inspired by my trip of solitude in Goa, with love, under the sun. Rumi had written this poem for Shams of Tebriz (Shams being the name of the Sun in Arabic) and this is where the inspiration of the geometry of the collection came from. It is a prayer calling for love to be yours.

Oh that love, Oh that love may it be ours my Lord..

Oh how beautiful, oh how magnificent, oh how ingenious it is my Lord..

In Sufism, the love for the divine is expressed with such poetry and infatuation that it becomes unclear to the reader if it is told for the love of the Supreme Being or to a Human Being, a beautiful celebration of the divinity within all humans and the eternal love that is the divine.  I would like to think that the 100th name of Allah in Islam is “HOB”, LOVE. It is with his love we are created, and it is with his love we shall live. Unconditionally.

THE COLLECTION

The “ISHQ” Collection is a celebration of love in 18 Kt Gold, with Brilliant White Diamonds and Red Burmese Rubies. It is the first attempt of using Enamel in my designs, and I think the colors are a great way of making the pieces fun and playful, after all, shouldn’t love be fun and playful?

Transforming Earring – Blue Jeans

The Transforming Earrings (above) are the first piece I designed from that collection, they are the statement earrings that can be taken apart and worn as a necklace (the 18kt Gold Chain is included) and a smaller pair of earrings.

The full collection is available on our website, most items are eligible for International Shipping and if you would like to try them on, please do feel free to visit our concept store in Kuwait.