KITTAB THHABA

EMERALDS | A cure for any aching heart

EMERALDS

Emeralds are a green to greenish blue variety of the mineral beryl, the same mineral that aquamarines belongs to. The trace amounts of chromium in this specific beryl specimen gives it its distinct green color and it is what makes this mineral an Emerald.

If we are so attracted to the magnificent green gem, then it is not surprising to note that Cleopatra was one of its biggest fans, she adorned many of her royal jewels with emeralds and it is interesting to know that the first known emerald mines were actually in Egypt dating back from 330 BC into the 1700s.

In the ancient times, emeralds were not only valued for their beauty. They were also believed to increase intelligence, protect marriages and were also thought to enable its possessor the power of predicting the future.

If I would compare those believes with my studies of our body’s energy fields and the chakras, or energy centers, the color green is the color of the heart chakra. This chakra is located in the middle of the chest and is the wellspring of love, warmth, compassion, and joy. The color green evokes and energized the heart chakra increasing its strength with denser vibrations of energy, and I would say maybe validate why the ancients believed this gem would strengthen marriages. As for intelligence, the heart, associated with compassion would ideally be where emotional intelligence is developed, and studies have shown that emotional intelligence is far more important in human beings than the IQ to determine how “intelligent” or tuned in a person is with the world around him and within him. Being emotionally intelligent would definitely allow you to asses the world around you with a higher sense of awareness and I think this is very important in “predicting the future” or simply being more in-tune with what the universe holds for you.

Interestingly, in antiquity, wearing an emerald was believed to reveal the truth or falseness of a lover’s promise, connection to the heart chakra maybe? maybe.

All of my readings and studies about emeralds made me strongly believe that it should be the gem centered in wedding and engagement rings. It is a great symbol of truth and love that it is such a shame this stone is not as popular as the diamond, if not even more popular, to symbolize and celebrate the honest and true bond that two people decide to explore.

5mm Columbian Emerald Necklace , THHABA JEWELRY

WHAT DETERMINES THE QUALITY OF AN EMERALD?

Like any other precious gem, emeralds are evaluated according to their Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat weight. In colored gemstones, the first two determining factors are the most important, this is especially the case in emeralds, rubies and sapphires because deep hues in clear stones are more rare to find.

The color of an emerald stone depends mainly on where it is mined, simply because the location determines the minerals that are in the gem that naturally effect the color of any gemstone. Emeralds occur in hues ranging from yellow-green to blue-green. Are you able to distinct where emeralds are from from their color? If you look at enough emeralds, you develop that eye.

ZAMBIAN EMERALDS

Zambian emeralds are the second largest in the world in terms of production with the Kafubu River area deposits (Kagem Mines) about 45 km southwest of Kitwe responsible for 20% of the world’s production of gem-quality stones in 2004.

Zambian emeralds have a stunning bluish-green color and they are known to be of better clarity than those of Colombian origin and they are more saturated in color.

Zambian emeralds are usually valued less in price than the columbian ones, but this is only because the Columbian emeralds are more popular in the market.

COLOMBIAN EMERALDS

Colombia mines and produces most of the emeralds for the global market. It is estimated that Colombia accounts for 70-90% of the world’s supply of the green gem.

The three major mines in Colombia are Muzo, Coscuez, and Chivor. of the three, Muzo remains the most important emerald mine in the world. All three mines are located in the eastern part of the Andes.

The terms Muzo and Chivor often also describe the quality and color of emeralds. Muzo refers to a warm, grassy-green emerald, with hints of yellow while Chivor is used to describes a deeper green color in Colombian emeralds.

PANJSHIR EMERALDS

Last year, I was having a wonderful conversation with the owner of one of the workshops I produce some of my jewelry with, He is a gemologist and a diamond grader and we always end up discussing fascinating topics related to the industry. On this day we started talking about colored stones and how they are becoming more popular in Kuwait. Ladies are seeking emeralds and in our small market, sourcing them is not that easy. That day was the first time I heard about emeralds and gems mined in Afghanistan, and it blew my mind away. The stones are of exceptional quality and it was only because of politics that the world had no access to them. I set a task to get a hold of gems from Afghanistan because I wanted to see what that rich land beholds.

The Panjshir Valley in Afghanistan is where the magnificent gem is mined. Because of the conflict with the Soviet Union the stones were not available for export and recently because of teh conflicts in Afghanistan the gems were also not that popular in the international markets. in 1990 however some speciments were extracted to be tested and viewed outside of Afghanistan.

PANJSHIR VALLEY, AFGHANISTAN (Copyright: UN Photo/Homayon Khoram)

As first reported in 1985, large (more than 190 ct)
crystals have been found in the Panjshir Valley, in colors
comparable to the finest emeralds of the Muzo mine in
Colombia. Fascinating, isn’t it !

I do recommend you read the article published by the GIA in the spring of 1991 for a complete understanding of the emeralds in Afghanistan. Find the article here.

I am fascinated with the collection of Panjshir emeralds that I was lucky enough to acquire and would love to sit with interested clients and design special pieces of jewelry.

THHABA & EMERALDS

A few months ago I contacted a gem supplier that I have been working with since I first started deigning jewelry, he is an Afghani jewelry living and working in Kuwait. throughout the years since I have known him, he went through many changes in his business and like all small business owners, it is not smooth sailing all the time. I asked him if he had any stones from Afghanistan and all he said was: “How about you pay me a visit soon?”. Within two hours, I was in his office.

Hamid was recently in Afghanistan, and he had brought back with him a collection of uncut emeralds from the Panjshir Valley. I was blown away. The gems were the perfect hue of green, they were minimally included and stunning to look at. As soon as he commissioned them to get cut, I made my selection.

THHABA’s Certified Panjshir Emeralds Collection

I enjoyed designing Panjshir emerald rings, and I think I will be exploring them as engagement rings simply because to me, they make more sense than diamond to represent that union between two human beings connecting at the hear center and promising each other truth and love.

As for my understanding of the value of the beautiful green gem. I was always interested in Colombian Emeralds because of the marker value they had, and the color and hue attracted me the most of all green beryls. But after my studies and research I came to appreciate all emeralds from all mines around the world with a soft spot for the Panjshir Valley beauties. The value of an emerald is very personal, I would like to not go by the common market value as some vivid green emeralds are very undervalued because they do not come with a certificate stating they are Colombian, and that to me is very unfair. Planet Earth if full of wonder, and we as humans became so arrogant that monopolies and corporations have stated certain acceptable marker values for so many things especially precious stones making us perceive them with prejudice. All emeralds are beautiful. and if you like an emerald, then who is to say how valuable that stone should be?, unless you are an investor in those goods, the market? or you?

Panjshir Emerald Engagement Rings, THHABA JEWELRY

View our Emerald Collection of jewelry on our website

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to view our collection of emeralds and maybe have a special gem designed for you, send us an email on: abrar@thhaba.com or contact our shop : +96595599882

snō white diamonds

The Fancy White Phenomenon

In the jewelry trade, the term “White Diamonds” is used to describe transparent / colorless diamonds. But diamonds, being a natural element in nature, are found in almost all colors of the rainbow depending on where on planet earth they are mined and what other natural minerals and effect the color in the formation of the diamond crystals.

Natural Fancy White diamonds are beautiful opaque white colored diamonds. The term ‘white diamonds’ is often used by members of the trade and many others when referring to the standard transparent, colorless diamonds. However, they are not transparent and colorless like people mistakenly understand. Fancy White diamonds are the natural phenomenon of color diamonds that display a strong white face-up color.

I came across this beautiful diamond as it was pinning on a display in a jewelry store. I couldn’t help but be drawn to its size! I have not seen a stone of such a beautiful white color in a size this big. It is a 2.513 ct Pear Shaped Brilliant Cut beauty… and the color was magical. A unicorn Diamond.

I knew I wanted to set it in a ring, a beautiful solitaire wedding ring and in my mind, the lady that would wear a bold ring like this would be as unique as the stone itself. The band has four Brilliant White Pear Diamonds totaling 0.456 ct , VS Clarity, H/G in Color, a beautiful contrast to the center stone, and the band is crowned with Brilliant Round Shaped diamonds, all set in 18kt white gold. A ring fit for a princess.

The “snō white” ring is a very special design, a one-off piece of jewelry that I hope I will have the opportunity to design more unique pieces of jewelry with milky white diamonds. And I am in the search for more unicorns.

Visit our showroom to view this special ring, but I warn you, it is only for the strong hearted.

#TANZANITELOVE

A stone only found under one hill on earth.

In the summer of 2009, My sister graduated from university the same time I was interning as an architect in NADAAA in Boston, MA. Naturally, being her elder sister, I wanted to treat my sister and celebrate her graduation, so I invited her on a cruise sailing to Mexico from New Orleans.

17.8 ct Tanzanite Cocktail Ring , THHABA JEWELRY 2015

On one of our ports of call, on the lovely Island of Cozumel, we went into a jewelry store and it was the first time that I laid eyes on a Tanzanite stone. I was fascinated by the intensity of the deep violet blue color and after asking more about this stone I learned that it came from Tanzania. I promised myself that one day, I will own a beautiful Tanzanite Ring.

Tanzanite is a beautiful fluke of nature, Millions of years ago, immense heat, pressure and a rare chemical called vanadium mixed together deep in the earth’s core at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro creating the beautiful blue-violet crystals of Tanzanite. Those conditions are so rare that according to geologist the chances of it occurring anywhere else on earth are a million to one! making Tanzanite one thousand times rarer than diamonds.

in 1967, a Massai Tribesman, Ali Juuyawatu, discovered a blue crystal. At first it was thought to be a sapphire, but the gem’s complex composition and unusual brilliant coloration revealed it to be an entirely new gemstone.

Tanzanite’s unique appearance is influenced by its pleochroism, which is the ability of a gemstone to show different colors when viewed in different crystal directions. Tanzanite’s pleochroism is documented as : red-violet, deep blue, and yellow green. Today, most gems are heat treated, which removes or reduces the yellow green or brownish pleochroic color, maximizing the blue and violet.

8.6 ct Tanzanite Cocktail Ring, THHABA JEWELRY 2016

Top-quality Tanzanite can be violet blue, more violet than sapphires, while some stones might also appear more purplish depending on how the cutter fashioned the gem and both colors can be visible when tilting the stone because every Tanzanite is a blend of these pleochroic colors. Cool lighting will emphasize Tanzanite’s blue, while warm lighting will make it appear more violet-to-purple.

Just like other colored gemstones, vivid strongly-colored tanzanites are more valuable and sought after while lighter ones, although they have a beauty of their own, are more available and more affordable.

I made my first Tanzanite ring in 2013, and it was a gift for my mom on mother’s day. I wanted her to have the first Tanzanite I ever designed, and it became one of her favorite pieces of jewelry.

Tanzanite mines are very small in size. The entire mining area in Merelani, Tanzania, East Africa is only 2 kilometers wide and 8 kilometers long, and the story of this beautiful gem is as fascinating as its violet blue color. We love Tanzanite, don’t you?

The Regal

It was very clear to me that the first set I design was to be unique, I wanted to use colored stones to make it unexpected and yet design it to be fit for royalty. I found the lapis lazuli in India, on a trip to source stones. Soon after I finalized the sketches for the design I had in mind, I started looking for the tanzanite stones that would be fitting of such a high piece of jewelry, pieces that are of high quality and of matching sizes, a challenging expedition that lasted over a year and finally I found the perfect six gems in Istanbul.

This beautiful creation is the first addition to the High Jewelry line of design, a One-Off set fit for a queen, or a princess.

After 3 years of design, production and sourcing of the gems and stones, I am happy to bring to life my first full set of 18Kt white and yellow gold, fabulous AAA Tanzanites and Brilliant white diamonds, the necklace and bracelets are a celebration of faceted beads of lapis lazuli twisted and tied in silk threads bringing forth the blue hue of the tanzanites. The tanzanites are beautifully symmetrical pear shaped and brilliant cut to perfection. Set in 18Kt yellow gold, this rare stone is designed to float in a halo of white round brilliant diamonds.

Following the Initial sketches and renderings, a 3D design was created so I was able to further define the spaces and fine details of the overall geometry of the sculpted pieces and we then began the casting and prepared the set for the stone setting.

Setting Tanzanites is very challenging, they have to be set with care and precision so as not to crack or scratch the gems. They are also not supposed to be placed is an ultrasonic cleaning machine as the stone will cleave (crack) at high temperatures and with the ultra sonic vibrations.

This set is very dear to my heart, and I am certain that it will adorn a woman that has an eye for only the finer things in life, a woman that appreciates the beauty and rarity of the piece of jewelry that lays on her skin, and one that always stands out in the crowd.

Make an appointment at the shop and I would be more than happy to share more information with you about this gemstone and show you the collection we have of loose stones and Tanzanite fine jewelry, or maybe we can sit together and design a high jewelry piece for you?

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.

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.

Peace.. Love.. and Light..

Designing jewelry has changed my life.. I never thought that making that decision 8 years ago would completely change my lifestyle.. but it has, in more ways that one, and I think it is time for me to share the love I have developed for the fine things in life.

Let’s talk about life.. for it is too beautiful not to be shared…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 100^th 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?

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.