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A true entrepreneur , Ali balanced his jewellery business with his work at the Ministry of Commerce , unknowingly setting a precedent that his daughter would follow . Mariam Ali Al Khalaf grew up immersed in the world of fine jewellery , accompanying her father to the workshop and watching him undertake the intricate processes of watch and diamond setting . “ As a young girl , I knew the difference between sapphire , ruby , and emerald diamonds ,” Mariam recalls fondly .
Mariam ’ s mother also played a crucial role in nurturing her appreciation for jewellery ’ s beauty , introducing her to unconventional designs that fused traditional gold-heavy styles with jewels rarely seen in the Middle East . This early exposure fueled Mariam ’ s ambitions , leading her to study jewellery grading in the US before returning to establish GEMA , a sub-brand of Arts & Gems designed for ‘ the woman of tomorrow ’.
While Arts & Gems focuses on high-end pieces for special occasions , GEMA offers versatile designs for daily wear , bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary styles .
“ I love to mix Qatari identity and tradition into modern jewellery ,” Mariam explains . Just as her father integrated traditional Qatari designs with his own business instincts , Mariam ’ s jewellery often features elements inspired by her cultural surroundings . Her ‘ Jiwan ’ collection , for instance , includes pieces adorned with motifs like the Arabian oryx and dhow boat , symbols deeply rooted in Qatar ’ s heritage .
As Mariam focuses on jewellery that makes generations of history wearable for everyday life , Ali too has observed a resurgence of interest in traditional pieces among younger generations . Despite the global trends towards modernisation in fashion , Ali
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