Culture of Wonder: Why Hayrat is a Destination for Soulful Experiences and Rare Gems 

In March, I was welcomed into a fascinating museum-like environment in Dubai that blends rare gemstones and fine jewellery with Mughal art and unique objects. Hayrat Fine Gems & Art is the only gallery of its kind, built upon the ethos that gemstones are energetic, pulsing, living carriers of meaning and history. As part of my visit, I participated in a panel discussion – The Coloured Wonder – alongside other gemstone connoisseurs who share my passion for mineral artistry. Let me take you behind the scenes of this temple of wonders and spotlight the people, precious objects, and record-breaking gems at its heart. 

Hayrat Fine Gems takes the concept of a gallery and turns up the volume, offering visitors an entire philosophy around culture, history, craftsmanship and luxury. When I visited in March 2026, I was welcomed into a ‘living museum’ that creates a genuine sense of wonder the moment you step through the door. Amongst the glass cabinets are artworks of immeasurable value, yes, but they’re also fuel for curious minds and sights to behold. Think pear-shaped blue topazes bigger than the palm of your hand, incredible hand-carved mineral sculptures, and historical curiosities such as Mughal daggers and Persian miniatures. “The idea is not to segregate artefact from gemstone, but to celebrate the story they share— of time, transformation, and history,” explains Hayrat co-founder, Zaheer Ansari.

He describes Hayrat as an “awakening” experience that strives to make moments of wonder more accessible to everyone, from collectors and scholars to those seeking a spiritual uplift. Zaheer didn’t simply wake up one morning with this lofty goal; he was born into a family of gemstone traders in Jaipur and has a lifetime of experience sourcing and selling minerals. He started out in the bazaars of Nepal, then journeyed to Japan, America, and Hong Kong, before settling in Dubai. 

A turning point came in Japan, where Zaheer met a man called Okamoto-San, a gemstone collector and philosopher. He placed a cat’s eye stone in Zaheer’s hand and simply said, “This is the stone you need.” From that point onwards, Zaheer’s fortunes shifted, and his perceptions of coloured gemstones changed from something beautiful to something spiritual, almost magical. He learned about vibration, frequency, healing and power, and decided that this was the approach he wanted to take with his own business. However, he needed a kindred spirit, someone who also believed that art, history, and energy could co-exist under one roof. That person was Naved Saidi, an antique art dealer specialising in Mughal treasures, rare carpets, sculptures and paintings. Together, they bring the best of Mother Nature and human nature under one roof. 

When you step inside Hayrat, which means ‘wonder’ in Arabic, you’re enveloped in a welcoming and warm space. Gemstones and precious artefacts are displayed side-by-side, often complementing one another in mysterious ways. During our conversation, Zaheer outlined his philosophy that gemstones should be worn, lived with and experienced, not merely collected. He will often wear a gemstone before choosing to invest in it and, if the feeling isn’t quite right, he won’t buy it. It is this “energetic sensitivity” that forms the backbone of Hayrat and helps to explain the characterful pieces that are housed within its four walls. Zaheer tells me: “While some gemstones bring calm, others bring clarity. Some can feel like fire, and others can feel like breath. Hayrat exists because gems are more than rare, they are real, not just in substance, but in spirit as well.”

When you have such strong convictions and passions, it’s important to share them with the world. That’s one of the reasons why Hayrat hosted its recent event – The Coloured Wonder – that I was privileged to participate in. I was welcomed onto a panel hosted by Krishna Raj, the expert behind Dubai’s leading global jewellery podcast, The Jewellery Pod, alongside jewellery consultant and personal shopper, Saeed Obaid, and Zaheer, to share my coloured gemstone insights, thoughts, and feelings. This was a wonderful opportunity to talk about Paraiba tourmaline – a gemstone I am genuinely fascinated by – and to spotlight Paraiba – The Legacy of a Color to a wider audience. 

Before I departed Hayrat, I had to capture some of the framed Guinness World Record certificates on its walls. It has many dated November 2025, including one for Parwaaz (the largest carved ruby), one for the largest cut Paraiba tourmaline weighing 275.5 carats, and another for the largest cut demantoid andradite-garnet weighing 56.48 carats. These specimens are undoubtedly amazing, but there are so many more treasures to discover. 

To curate with conscience is to say no more often than yes,” Zaheer tells me. To enter the Hayrat universe, a mineral or art object must be more than exceptional; it must have an aura that sets it apart. He continues: “Rarity is not a numbers game; it is a vibration. A clarity of feeling. A stone that shares its history in your hands. As you walk through Hayrat, you’ll discover that every gemstone is more than a mineral. It is a memory, meditation and a message from deep within the Earth, carried across time to meet you now.” With a philosophy like this, who could possibly resist a visit?