UAE's First Locally Sourced Gemstone Debuts in Sharjah

The UAE's first locally sourced gemstone has been unveiled at the 57th Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show in Sharjah.

Named 'Spirit of the Emirates', the natural red jasper was sourced from the Al Siji region of Fujairah through a partnership with the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation.

The stone was presented by the Emirati Goldsmiths Platform during the exhibition, which concluded at Expo Centre Sharjah.

The launch marks the first time a gemstone originating from Emirati soil has been developed into a national jewellery product.

This year's edition also marked the strongest participation to date for the Emirati Goldsmiths Platform, bringing together 20 designers from across the UAE, including seven women exhibiting for the first time. Among the featured works was 'Al Shoufa', a design created by people of determination.

According to the organisers, cooperation with the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation has enabled designers to work with locally sourced geological materials and expand into gemstone sourcing and supply chain development.

The gemstone made its debut through two creations by Emirati designer Fatima Al Muhairi, the first internationally accredited young Emirati specialist in gemmology. Her signature piece, also titled 'Spirit of the Emirates', traces the journey of the stone from mountain to jewellery and incorporates symbols including a palm tree, Al Muwaiji Fort and a natural pearl.

A second piece, 'Erth' (Heritage), takes the form of a camel-head brooch combining the Fujairah jasper with a pearl sourced from Ras Al Khaimah's Al Suwaidi Pearls Farm.

With a hardness of between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale and its distinctive natural red colour, the Emirati jasper is expected to support the growth of locally produced luxury jewellery in regional and international markets.