While many Arab countries bask in the glory of their tradition of fine jewelry design, Saudi Arabia has less of a history in this field.
But that is changing thanks in part to the Saudi-born, Paris-based haute couture jewelry designer, Nourah Al-Faisal.
She launched her brand Nuun Jewels in 2014. Ever since, her beautiful creations have attracted the notice of jewelry lovers and brought in a number of clients.
Al-Faisal’s interest in jewelry developed early on as she has always loved design in all its forms. As a child, with her mother, she enjoyed visiting the jewelry shops located in London’s Bond Street and Paris’s Place Vendôme.
“I was particularly captivated by the precious metals, the gems, how they’re designed to fit and enhance the human body, and how they express the personality of the people who wear them. I find it nothing but fascinating,” she says.
The drive to do something worthwhile has been the guiding principle throughout her career. That’s why she identifies herself as a self-taught jewelry designer. After graduating from university she apprenticed in a famous jewelry shop in Paris, learning the nuts and bolts of designing couture jewelry. “This was all I did and from there, I went on to make commissioned pieces for over 15 years before finally setting up my Nuun brand,” she says.
Nuun jewelry embodies Al-Faisal’s personal aesthetics, heavily influenced by her culture and heritage. They are also influenced by everything else she was exposed to while growing up and the many novelties and beauties she comes across when she travels. She shared proof of this by showing one of her incredibly popular “Banajir” bangles, which has a distinctive design reminiscent of a traditional geometric pattern often found on the doorways of Saudi houses.
In any creative work, what matters most is the presence of one’s overwhelming inventiveness. This is what makes Al-Faisal stay true to her style as much as possible. Likewise, the quality of the materials and the craftsmanship matters to her a great deal and they are followed by her deep commitment to sustainability. These are the characteristics which set her designs apart from others.
“I want to work with people, suppliers or workshops, who share the same values. For instance, I believe it is important to choose gemstone suppliers who are respectful of both local communities and nature,” she says.
She looks to the wonders of nature, architecture, or even music for inspiration. In fact, it could be anything that catches her eye and her imagination.
When it comes to what women really look for in the jewelry they buy, Al-Faisal believes that it depends on the type of jewelry and what the occasion is. “I believe that women are more drawn to beauty; they go for jewelry that can express their personalities and make them feel special,” she says. “I try to design pieces that I would want to wear myself. Personally, I’ve always given priority to quality over quantity. I adore the highest quality.”
In order to make each piece fit perfectly, she says she should be aware of how a bracelet will rest on the arm or a necklace around the neck. “They need to be not only beautiful but also comfortable. Keeping this in mind, it’s essential to visualize what the piece will look and feel like before it’s made.”
So she sticks to a simple practice in relation to her overall design idea. “I try to simplify as much as possible. I’m not a minimalist by nature, but I don’t like overly complicated designs either,” Al-Faisal says.
Sourcing the precious stones is a very delicate procedure that she performs with the utmost discipline. “I’m often very specific when I’m looking for gemstones. There are a few people I’ve been working with for many years: they know me and they understand the type and the quality of stones I’m always interested in,” she says.
Showcasing one’s creations at high-end exhibitions is equally important too, she explains. “It’s important to be able to introduce what I do to a wider audience. Exhibiting one’s designs is part of the creative process. This is where the Middle East comes up since it’s my home. Women in the Middle East often have a very strong sense of fashion and a wonderful understanding of jewelry. Social media such as Instagram has proven to be a great platform for many of them to express their sense of style and creativity.”
She is always working on her designs because she really loves her work. Besides, she enjoys reading and traveling – anything that exposes her to new horizons.
Up to now, things have been happening behind the scenes but that is about to change. “I’ve opened a boutique in Paris next to the Bristol Hotel. It’s very exciting and, of course, I’m always looking forward to creating and introducing new designs,” she says.
Her latest collection is called “Johara” — which means jewel in Arabic. It is a tribute to the beauty of precious stones and the craftsmanship of diamond cutters. The inspiration behind it comes from the magic of diamond facets that are flawlessly reflected by geometrical lines with black gold. 
“I have chosen two classics: the cushion and briolette cuts. These two designs are used in making earrings and rings, as well as pendants and charms on a yellow gold chain,” she says. “More diamond shapes will follow later.”
At the end of the day, Al-Faisal takes delight in the fact that her jewelry is used to celebrate love and life, and that it makes people happy. It may be a birthday, an anniversary, a wedding or any other special occasion. “Through my jewelry, I get to be part of people’s joyful moments,” she says. “I’m a very private person so my jewelry often celebrates happy private moments. And I want it to be that way.”

Source: Arab News