How a Mechanical Engineer Turned Her Cultural Roots into Wearable Stories of Faith

In Oman, jewellery isn’t just about adornment; it runs deep in the fabric of the nation’s history and culture. For centuries, Omani craftsmen have created beautiful pieces that tell stories of family, faith, and tradition. These aren’t simply decorative objects—they are tokens of identity, markers of life’s milestones, and links to a heritage that spans generations. Among those carrying this legacy forward today is Zeina al Hinai, a talented jeweller whose work honours her roots and the rich history of Oman’s jewellery craftsmanship.

Omani jewellery has long been distinguished by its intricate designs, skilled craftsmanship, and meaningful symbolism. From delicate filigree work to bold, statement pieces, it reflects a culture that values beauty, community, and spirituality. Many of Oman’s traditional styles have roots in the diverse influences that shaped the region—Arab, African, Persian, and Indian. Each piece tells a story of cultural exchange and ingenuity, a testament to the skilled hands of Omani artisans passed down through the ages.



Zeina grew up surrounded by this vibrant jewellery heritage. Her family often wore pieces that carried significance—gifts bestowed during weddings, religious occasions, or rites of passage. She learned early on that gold in Oman wasn’t just material wealth—it was a vessel for stories, history, and emotion. For Zeina, jewellery was a way of holding onto memories, celebrating life’s most important moments, and expressing her identity.

But it was her own journey that sparked a new conversation about what jewellery could represent today. Zeina, trained as a mechanical engineer, discovered she also had a passion for design. Merging her technical knowledge with her cultural background, she began exploring ways to create jewellery that was rooted in her heritage but also spoke to contemporary life.

One of Zeina's most meaningful projects started when her son, Badr, was born. She wanted to mark that significant moment with a piece of jewellery that went beyond mere ornamentation. She didn’t want something generic—she sought a symbol that captured the depth and beauty of new life, a connection that could be cherished for generations. That desire led her to revisit the core principles of Omani craftsmanship, infusing her work with spiritual and cultural symbolism.



Zeina turned to the Quran, seeking inspiration within its verses and stories. She started pondering how jewellery could serve as a physical reminder of faith and love, of family bonds and gratitude. The idea took shape: what if each piece could carry names, meanings, and references from the Quran, making every piece deeply personal and spiritually resonant? It would be a way to wear faith and heritage close to the heart.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Omani rings—known locally as tahyīs—Zeina wanted her jewellery to be something more than static adornment. In Oman, a tahyīs is often worn on the index finger, and the act of twisting the ring around the finger is a familiar, intimate gesture. She thought: what if a piece of jewellery could move with you, holding your story in motion?

The name “Hiyyas”, which became Zeinab's brand, is inspired by a traditional Omani type of ring, typically worn on the index finger. Each piece of Hiyyas is more than an accessory—it’s a personal archive. The process begins with choosing a name or meaning that holds significance for the wearer, then locating all the places where that word appears in the Qur’an. This isn’t mass-produced jewellery; every ring is a handcrafted journey.



Her design process was meticulous. Zeina used her engineering skills to model her ideas digitally, mapping where specific words or names from the Quran would appear on each piece. These details might be raised from the surface or embedded as tiny gemstones—subtle symbols that only the wearer would recognise. Once the digital model was complete, the design was turned into a wax model, then cast in gold. Each final piece was individually handcrafted, making every ring unique.

This approach challenged the notion of jewellery as mass-market product. In Oman and neighbouring regions, gold has long symbolised celebration—weddings, births, bequests of love. But Zeina’s creations aimed to shift that perspective. Gold became a vessel for meaning, a connection to faith and personal stories. She wanted her jewellery to do more than decorate; she wanted it to embody depth, to serve as a tangible link to one’s history, beliefs, and identity.

Creating these pieces wasn’t without its hurdles. Translating abstract concepts into physical objects that still felt authentic was a complex task. It involved patience, precision, and respect for traditional craftsmanship while embracing new ideas. Zeina’s work is a reminder that the journey from idea to wearable art is one of dedication—combining technical skill with deep cultural appreciation.



The reception has been encouraging. More and more customers in Oman and beyond have shown interest in jewellery that resonates on a spiritual level, that isn’t just about aesthetics but about connection. Zeina comments that while Oman has a proud history with gold, modern tastes are evolving. People are seeking jewellery that reflects who they are and what they believe, not just what they look like.

Looking ahead, Zeina’s work continues to evolve. Recently, she crafted a collection inspired by Jabal Akhdar, one of Oman’s most beautiful mountain ranges. She designed over a hundred earrings shaped like pomegranate seeds—each one unique and imbued with symbolism drawn from he lush, abundant nature of the region. These tiny designs celebrate life, fertility, and growth—echoing the land’s richness and its importance in Omani culture. Every piece is a testament to the local environment and the traditional stories passed down for generations.

For Zeina, her work is more than creating beautiful jewellery; it’s about reconnecting her community with their roots and inspiring pride in their heritage. She sees her designs as a continuation of the centuries-old craftsmanship that Oman has cultivated, adapting those timeless techniques into modern forms that still carry the spirit and soul of the traditional arts.