Jordanian Jewels

Lama Hourani Creations

By Kate Dannies

Lama Hourani has been designing jewelryinspired by her Jordanian roots since long before the Middle Eastern jewelry craze took off in the region and around the world. A jeweller since 2000, Lama opened her first shop in April 2004. Her expertise sets her apart from the scores of small-scale designers that have appeared in recent years: Lama has international degrees in fine arts, jewelry design, gemology and product design.

Her intimate knowledge of materials and design as well as her wide pool of artistic and cultural references has positioned Lama’s creations at the intersection of art and jewelry design. Tellingly, her work has appeared at museum exhibitions and design and fashion events, including Art Basel Miami, Chicago Fashion Week and the Natural History Museum in New York City. Her creations are truly pieces of wearable art, bringing pleasure and style to their owners through their beauty and exclusivity. Each of Lama’s creations are either a master piece or part of a limited edition, making them unique collectors items, and all are handmade at her Amman workshop. Each piece is crafted from hand-selected precious and semi-precious stones, and metals, including gold, silver, brass and copper. Lama is committed to countering the homogenizing effects of mass production with refreshingly rare and unique creations.

Lama’s collections are inspired by her travels around the world and other life experiences. She develops pieces and collections using mood boards, starting with a picture or place and letting her creative inspiration develop upon related themes and ideas. Through the sketching process, her designs take shape, and she incorporates personal touches that reflect her most precious moments and memories.

While each collection is recognizably “Lama Hourani” the themes and motifs she takes inspiration from vary. Collections include “Healing Hand,” inspired by bird forms; “Rio,” which captures the sights and sounds of Brazil; “Cabinet de Curiosités,” which builds upon French Renaissance forms and natural history; “Contemporary Nostalgia,” a line that traces the transition from classic to contemporary; “Poppy,” inspired by the flower fields of northern Jordan; and many more.

The pieces coming out of Lama’s workshop include something for everyone. Her lines include items for men, women and children, covering a wide range of price points. From playful pendants for kids, to stunning statement necklaces for women, and sophisticated cufflinks for the man in your life, Lama’s website is a one stop shop for beautiful pieces to be treasured for a lifetime.