Arab Deco in Colour: Al Zain Introduces Paraiba Tourmalines to Bahrain’s High Jewellery Landscape
As we move into 2026, the afterglow of last year’s Art Deco centenary is still very much with us, inspiring jewellers around the world to rediscover the motifs, materials and architectural purity of this iconic era. Among them, Al Zain stands apart for interpreting this seminal moment in the history of jewellery design with Arabian flair through its Arab Deco High Jewellery collection.
A family house whose legacy is built on exceptional craftsmanship, an Arabian heritage spanning nearly a century and a reputation for innovation, Al Zain is a prominent force in Bahrain’s jewellery landscape. A regular exhibitor at Jewellery Arabia, the region’s most prestigious jewellery showcase, for the 2025 edition the house chose to take the collection in a colourful new direction, introducing Paraiba tourmalines for the first time. As you know, I adore Paraiba tourmalines, so upon arriving at Jewellery Arabia, I immediately made my way to the brand’s booth to see the new additions in person.
Around a year ago, I had embarked on a casual conversation about the Paraiba tourmaline with the company and how this gem was on every discerning collector’s wish list. It clearly planted a seed because there before me were Al Zain’s first high jewellery creations featuring these magnificently rare and astonishingly vibrant stones. Appearing in the Arab Deco universe for the very first time, they made me excited about this new colourful chapter in the otherwise monochrome Arab Deco collection.
For the first time, Paraiba tourmalines feature in Al Zain's Arab Deco universe
Bahraini Pearls: The Essence of Al Zain
As vivid as Paraiba tourmalines are, their electrifying presence sits alongside a very different kind of beauty within the Arab Deco collection: the soft radiance of natural Bahraini pearls. For centuries, pearl diving was the backdrop to life along the Gulf, with generations of divers venturing into the open sea in search of these ocean-born treasures. Symbols of the sea’s generosity, these pearls carried the stories of those who risked everything to find them.
Al Zain honours this heritage, working exclusively with natural Bahraini pearls and continuing the legacy of its founder, the late Hassan Al Zain, who began in the business as a trader of pearls back in 1930 and was considered a pioneering Tawash (pearl merchant) and entrepreneur. As Hassan’s son, Mr. Nabeel Al Zain, beautifully notes, “No two pearls are alike, and neither are the journeys that unearthed those pearls.” It is a sentiment that applies just as well to Paraiba tourmalines, whose colours and formations are equally unpredictable. Both materials, in their own way, speak to nature’s capacity to surprise, delight and, sometimes, take our breath away with its beauty.
The hero high jewellery necklace among Al Zain's new Paraiba tourmaline Arab Deco jewels is set with a 19.27 carat pear shape Paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique
Al Zain’s Paraiba Moment
Paraiba tourmalines have been captivating gem aficionados for years, but in 2025 their popularity reached new heights. Few stones possess such an electrifying neon glow and even fewer exist in sizes significant enough for high jewellery. Most Paraibas are modest in scale, between 3-5 carats in their faceted form, which makes the stones chosen by Al Zain nothing short of remarkable. A total of a dozen Paraiba tourmalines, including a 19-carat pear-shaped marvel from Mozambique in the hero necklace, made exhibition visitors stop and take notice of this new, electrifying blue stone.
The tropical-sea blue colour integrates seamlessly into the Arab Deco collection alongside cascading rows of natural Bahraini pearls and sleek rows of baguette-cut diamonds. The Paraiba tourmalines ignite the compositions with their uniquely vivid presence, illuminating a design language that unites the elegance of Art Deco and the intricate patterns of Arabian architecture.
Katerina wears Al Zain’s Paraiba tourmaline, natural pearl and diamond Arab Deco high jewellery necklace in 18k white gold
A second high jewellery necklace from Al Zain’s Arab Deco collection, set with a 6.59ct carat pear shape Paraiba tourmaline, natural pearls and diamonds in 18k white gold
The tropical-sea blue of the Paraiba tourmaline integrates seamlessly into the Arab Deco collection alongside cascading rows of natural Bahraini pearls and sleek rows of baguette cut diamonds
The Paraiba tourmaline illuminates a design language that unites the elegance of Art Deco and the intricate patterns of Arabian architecture
Exploring the New Paraiba Tourmaline Jewels
Now comes the fun part: taking a look at some of the new high jewellery pieces crafted around Al Zain’s remarkable Mozambique Paraiba tourmalines. The first is a drop necklace showcasing an incredible 19.36-carat pear-shaped Paraiba, suspended within a V-shaped, Art Deco-inspired silhouette. Round and baguette-cut diamonds trace angular lines reminiscent of 1930s architecture, guiding the gaze downward to the brightly coloured centre stone.
Two high jewellery rings from Al Zain’s Arab Deco collection, each designed around an extraordinary Paraiba tourmaline, one oval, the other cushion cut
The high jewellery choker offers another perspective, wrapping the wearer in an architectural embrace that frames the neon Paraiba with sleek rows of baguette-cut diamonds. Finished with multiple strands of natural pearls, their silky lustre punctuated by Paraiba accents in between, the combination feels both strikingly contemporary and classically Bahraini.
Two rings also jump out at me, each designed around a vibrant Paraiba tourmaline: one oval, the other cushion cut. Elevated by rows of invisibly set baguette-cut and round diamonds, the stones appear to float within their mounts, their striking turquoise tone intensified by their geometric settings.
Al Zain’s Arab Deco high jewellery choker wraps the wearer in an architectural embrace that frames the oval Paraiba tourmaline with sleek rows of baguette-cut diamonds
The choker is finished with multiple strands of natural Bahraini pearls, punctuated by Paraiba accents in-between
The combination of Paraiba tourmalines and natural pearls is both strikingly contemporary and classically Bahraini
Katerina wears the Arab Deco high jewellery choker and ring with Paraiba tourmalines, natural pearls and diamonds by Al Zain
Al Zain works exclusively with natural Bahraini pearls, continuing the legacy of its founder, Hassan Al Zain, who began the business as a pearl trader back in 1930
The Gem Bar at Jewellery Arabia
Many visitors stopped by to see the ‘Gem Bar’, where a number of loose Paraiba tourmalines were on display. Single stones, matched pairs and small suites were laid out to be admired, allowing clients to handle each gem and appreciate its unique character. It was a wonderfully interactive way to get to know the Paraiba tourmaline, inviting collectors to choose the stone that spoke to them and commission a bespoke creation around it. Some gouache-drawn ideas were already on show to inspire visitors and help them picture the possibilities.
The new Paraiba tourmaline designs honour Al Zain's Bahraini roots while embracing the expressive possibilities of colour in high jewellery
Arab Deco, Reimagined in Colour
The Arab Deco collection draws its strength from contrast: the symmetry of Art Deco geometry, softened by the graceful curves, arching silhouettes and sensuous swags found throughout Arabian decorative arts. In these new creations, that dialogue becomes even more expressive through the introduction of precious colour. At Jewellery Arabia, Al Zain expanded the Arab Deco collection with not only Paraiba tourmalines but also emeralds and tanzanites, with each stone chosen for its depth and intensity of colour.
Each Paraiba tourmaline was chosen by Al Zain for its depth and intensity of colour
Al Zain also added new emerald high jewellery creations to its Arab Deco collection at Jewellery Arabia
Al Zain Arab Deco high jewellery choker, set with 27.63 carats of pear shape emeralds, 21.52 carats of diamonds and natural pearls in 18k white and yellow gold
Al Zain Arab Deco high jewellery earrings, set with emerald cut emeralds, diamonds and natural pearls in 18k white gold
Al Zain Arab Deco earrings with emeralds, diamonds and natural pearls in 18k yellow gold
Al Zain Arab Deco high jewellery choker, set with an oval emerald, diamonds and natural pearls in 18k yellow gold
With the introduction of Paraiba tourmalines, Al Zain has opened a spectacular new chapter in its Arab Deco story—one that honours its Bahraini roots while embracing the expressive possibilities of colour in high jewellery. These creations expand the collection’s visual language without ever straying from the motifs, materials and craftsmanship at its heart. If 2025 sparked a renewed global fascination with Art Deco, then Al Zain’s new Paraiba tourmaline jewels show how that revival can evolve in 2026 and beyond: with boldness, brilliance and a distinctly Arabian point of view.
WORDS
Katerina Perez is a jewellery insider, journalist and brand consultant with more than 15 years’ experience in the jewellery sector. Paris-based, Katerina has worked as a freelance journalist and content editor since 2011, writing articles for international publications. To share her jewellery knowledge and expertise, Katerina founded this website and launched her @katerina_perez Instagram in 2013.
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