Bahrain Pearls: Treasures from the Land of the Two Seas

The story of Bahrain’s pearls stretches back in the mists of time. For millennia the oyster banks around the Arabian Gulf dominated all others, and the headquarters for the pearl trade was Bahrain. Pearl diving in the region dates from the Dilmun and Tylos periods (2200 BCE–300 CE), names for Bahrain in ancient times, when the island was already a center for international trade. Pearls powered the economy of the island kingdom for centuries, and Bahrain’s importance as a center for natural pearls is reflected in the nation’s culture. Today, the streets of Muharraq bustle with locals and visitors passing by the long-standing merchants’ courtyards and houses preserved on the UNESCO World Heritage site titled Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy.

Since the dawn of civilization, the Arabian Gulf region has been famous for its high-quality natural pearls, and today in this age of lab-grown gems astute jewel aficionados are appreciating anew the importance of Bahrain’s precious natural pearls. Bahrain is one of the only places in the world that does not allow cultured pearls but harvests only natural pearls from protected oyster beds, fostering multigenerational families who proudly continue to create stunning jewelry with these rare gems from the sea.

Available in Classic and Ultimate Collection formats, Bahrain Pearls narrates the deep history of pearl diving, trading, and jewelry making in Bahrain, from the ancient Dilmun civilization to modern times. With evocative narrative text and gorgeous photography, this volume showcases the craftsmanship and artistry that define Bahrain’s rich pearl heritage and the country’s unique cultural legacy. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
About the Author: Carol Woolton is a jewelry historian, broadcaster, stylist, and jewelry editor at British Vogue for over twenty years, where she remains as contributing jewelry director. She was the first jewelry editor of Tatler magazine and has contributed widely to publications and online supplements around the world including Financial Times, Vanity Fair, and Daily Telegraph. She is the author of several books covering the broad spectrum of antique and historic jewels to contemporary styles, including The New Stone Age (2020), Vogue: The Jewellery (2020), Floral Jewels (2014), Dolce & Gabbana High Jewelry (2023), and If Jewels Could Talk (2024), based on the podcast she launched in 2020.
About the photographer: Laziz Hamani is passionate about creating beautiful images, his life defined by a constant search for aesthetics and meaning. He has worked with many luxury brands, and he has collaborated with Assouline on more than thirty titles. From the finest details of high jewelry to the purity of minimalist design, Hamani aims to bring the viewer into dialogue with the image, to evoke power and beauty through his unique simplicity.

224 pages
160 illustrations
English language

Silk Hardcover
ISBN: 9781649804969

W 10 x D 13 x H 1.5 in
5.0 lbs.