Oman and History of Jewellery

Oman has a very rich and distinctive jewellery tradition. Due to the nation’s long history of seafaring and trade, many influences of other cultures can be seen in Omani jewellery. Oman in particular traded with India and the Golden Triangle: trading partners whose influence is still visible in Omani jewellery today. Many Omani anklets and bracelets are reminiscent of Indian jewellery.

Traditional goldsmiths and silversmiths still employ ancient techniques such as chasing, embossing, engraving, piercing, filigree, and granulation. Design motifs and techniques display influences from other countries including India, China, Persia, Yemen and the ancient Roman, Greek and Sabaean Empires, reflecting Oman’s long history as maritime traders.

Jewellery Facts

• A woman’s jewellery symbolises her status as a married women and later as a mother, as it is customary to gift one’s wife with jewellery for the birth of each child
• A specific type of Omani necklace is reminiscent from the jewellery of the Hmong tribes from the Golden Triangle
• The use of coins or ‘umla’ is widespread throughout the Middle East, North Africa and beyond