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The Emirates News Agency reported that the 20 designers took centre stage at the exhibition by presenting innovative collections that blend UAE cultural motifs with modern craftsmanship in gold, diamonds and bespoke items. Organised by Expo Centre Sharjah and supported by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the show opened on September 30 and runs through October 4. The Emirati Goldsmiths platform, maintained by the chamber, serves to empower national talent and furnish young entrepreneurs with enhanced exposure within jewellery and watchmaking events. This edition expands the platform’s reach by incorporating first-time participants from multiple emirates.
All 20 participants are women making their debut on the platform, according to the Emirates News Agency. Their work features designs rooted in Emirati heritage while incorporating contemporary interpretations that appeal to broader markets. The agency highlighted collections that reference traditional diving implements such as the Al Dayeen and Al Fetam, which were historically produced from sea turtle shell known locally as Al Ghaylam.
Eman Al Shawab, founder of Leap of Faith Fine Jewellery, displayed a range of 18-karat gold pieces that emphasise the innate beauty of raw gemstones with minimal conventional processing. Afra Saeed Al Suwaidi introduced her Setami Jewellery label, which draws directly from historic Emirati goldsmithing patterns including those associated with Al Diqqa Al Qadeema. Additional designs employ the Damask rose, or Ward Al Jouri, as a recurring visual and thematic element translated into present-day jewellery forms.
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has dedicated the platform at the exhibition as part of sustained efforts to enlarge the pool of national designers and generate commercial opportunities in the sector. Participation in the show allows these creators to present hundreds of unique items to visitors and industry professionals over the five-day period. The event continues to function as a prominent venue for showcasing local innovation alongside international brands.
A Market Research Community analysis placed the UAE gems and jewellery market at USD 5.90 billion in 2025 with a projection of USD 9.42 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 6.9 percent during the interval.[[1]](https://marketresearchcommunity.com/uae-gems-and-jewellery-market/) Gold maintains a commanding position within the sector, supported by cultural significance, investment appeal and the country’s reputation as a trading hub. The designers’ involvement coincides with this expansion, offering local talent a stage to address both domestic demand and interest from the large expatriate and tourist populations.
Previous editions of the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show have similarly featured the Emirati Goldsmiths platform with groups of around 20 participants, according to coverage by regional outlets including Asharq Al-Awsat. Those iterations underscored the chamber’s role in mentoring female entrepreneurs and integrating their creations into the wider industry calendar. The current focus on debutantes builds on that foundation by prioritising emerging voices from across the UAE.
