Arab Deco: Exploring the Latest High Jewellery Collection by Al Zain

Back in November 2024, Bahraini brand Al Zain participated in Jewellery Arabia with a new selection of high jewellery, this time infusing the spirit of Arabian architectural motifs with the elegance of Art Deco style. The perfectly named ‘Arab Deco’ collection is centred on cascading, twisting rope-like formations of pearls coupled with sparkling diamonds in kite-shaped formations. This isn’t the first time we’ve turned the spotlight on Al Zain – a family business that continues to prioritise exceptional craftsmanship and a respect for heritage. Let’s refresh our shared memories of Al Zain through the lens of KaterinaPerez.com and dive into these new creations that are fortuitously timed with the 100th anniversary of Art Deco in 2025… 

Jewellery Arabia never disappoints when it comes to high jewellery. When Katerina visited the event in November 2023, she was immediately drawn to the Al Zain Jena collection with its succulent garnet and amethyst cabochons, inlaid malachite and turquoise, and ethereal moonstones (all meticulously hand-selected and hand-set). The vibrant assortment was said to be inspired by the “gardens of paradise,” which was most evident in the splashes of deep orange citrines and peachy moonstones. Our article on the collection also provided a platform to share more about the history of Al Zain and the family, which continues its great design legacy. I recommend you give it a read before returning to the below. 

The latest additions to Al Zain’s signature collection, Arab Deco – were unveiled at Jewellery Arabia in November, demonstrating great awareness of the fact that 2025 is the 100th anniversary of Art Deco (the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts took place in Paris from April to October 2025, welcoming more than 16 million people). Rather than simply imitating the most successful motifs of the Art Deco movement, Al Zain has chosen to create its own interpretation by fusing Arabian heritage and the 20th-century style. Pieces in the Arab Deco collection have a familiar aesthetic, but with a unique twist with an Al Zain touch, taking the forms of cascading pearl swags, chokers, shield-like rings and pendulum earrings that maintain a streamlined palette of pearls, black and white diamonds, black Hyceram and 18k gold. These rich materials come together to create rhythmic patterns and shapely forms that contribute towards a continuously expanding and evolving collection. 

What’s clever about this high jewellery offering, at least in my opinion, is the blend of Arabian geometry and Art Deco curves. We often think about Art Deco as a purely rigid, geometric and angular design ethos, but that’s not entirely true. Curves did feature, often as symmetrical archways and fan-like shapes, which are not wholly dissimilar to the arabesque patterns seen in traditional Islamic art. You can see all these influences converging in the soft triangular peaks in the Arab Deco necklace clasps and in the frameworks surrounding pear-cut diamonds. This adds a welcoming touch of soft femininity to the collection, which is also amplified by vibrant golden pearls and warm 18k yellow gold in some stand-out pieces. 

Another notable element of the Arab Deco collection is the lustrous natural Bahrani pearls. As a nation, Bahrain has a long and fruitful history of pearl farming. In fact, the founder of Al Zain – Hassan Al Zain – was recognised as a pioneering Tawash (pearl merchant) and entrepreneur during his lifetime. Among the Arab Deco jewels, there are three pieces in particular that highlight these miracles of nature to their best advantage. The first is a necklace with four strings of oval-shaped, creamy white pearls leading the eye to an armour-like shield of round brilliant-cut, princess-cut and baguette-cut diamonds in an unusual cut-cornered pentagon shape. Across the entire piece, there are 50.80 carats of pearls and 5.75 carats of diamonds. 

The second art piece is a masterclass in long-line neckwear, incorporating four swags of natural creamy white, very pale yellow and faintly golden pearls that are pulled together randomly with princess-cut diamond stations. Higher up, on either side of the neck, a pair of diamond motifs (that remind me of double-clip brooches of the Art Deco era) are fabulously ostentatious with fancy-cut and round brilliant-cut diamonds. Here, 366 natural pearls offer a total weight of 12.93 carats, while diamonds amount to a showstopping 267 carats. 

Finally, if I had to pick a favourite piece, it would be a choker necklace with multiple twisted strands of natural pearls. As these strands meet in the middle at a colourless and black diamond-set clasp, the number of interspersed black diamond beads intensifies, creating a contemporary colour contrast. There are nearly 2,000 natural pearls in this creation, totalling 252.63 carats, 5.39 carats of diamonds and 314 black diamond beads whose refined texture mirrors that of the natural pearls. It is truly special! 

The collection carries a variety of creations from elevated cocktail pieces to high jewellery masterpieces. The Arab Deco collection also includes some more delicate earrings, bracelets and rings that can be dressed up or down. In keeping with its ethos, Al Zain has curated the collection with a woman’s elegance, grace and empowerment in mind, developing a captivating narrative that interweaves history with the present day.

The rise of Art Deco took place during the 1920s, a period with many social, political and technological changes, and most importantly the empowerment of women. Once again, history repeats itself, and we find ourselves in another iteration of the 20s, complete with its own advancements in technology and rising female power. Al Zain’s focus on women’s empowerment is in perfect alignment with the anniversary of Art Deco. For the individuals who want something truly special and utterly timeless, this is destined to be a collection for true collectors. 

With so much to enjoy in this collection, let’s all look ahead to Jewellery Arabia in November 2025. No doubt, Al Zain has some more sensational surprises up its bejewelled sleeves!