Luxury jewelry brands dazzle at Riyadh showcase

House of GOL, a New York-based brand that specializes in colorful diamonds, brought a rare pink diamond to the exhibition. The brand had previously visited ZAH Creative Hub in Riyadh and continued its tour across the Kingdom during Saudi International Luxury Week. (Supplied)
House of GOL, a New York-based brand that specializes in colorful diamonds, brought a rare pink diamond to the exhibition. The brand had previously visited ZAH Creative Hub in Riyadh and continued its tour across the Kingdom during Saudi International Luxury Week. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 May 2024
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Luxury jewelry brands dazzle at Riyadh showcase

Luxury jewelry brands dazzle at Riyadh showcase
  • Larsen said that House of GOL specializes in high-end jewelry and many people buy it to reflect their heritage and to pass it down to future generations

RIYADH: Saudi International Luxury Week, which is taking place in Riyadh until May 9, showcases a selection of fine jewelry from around the world.

The event offers a unique opportunity for Saudi clients to acquire exclusive and sophisticated pieces.




FerriFirenze, an Italian brand, is gaining significant acceptance among Saudi clients during the event. (Supplied)

House of GOL, a New York-based brand known for its colorful diamonds, has shown a rare pink diamond at the event.

Anne Larsen, head of business development at House of GOL, has been visiting Saudi Arabia for the past three years to meet clients.




Maitraya is an Indian brand that specializes in Khaleeji and Saudi pearls, led by Sanghvi Maitarya, the seventh-generation representative of his family business. (Supplied)

Larsen said that House of GOL specializes in high-end jewelry and many people buy it to reflect their heritage and to pass it down to future generations.

The brand had previously visited the ZAH creative hub in Riyadh and continued its tours across the Kingdom. House of GOL's participation in the luxury week was in collaboration with Clea Nasr, ZAH's head of marketing.




Maitraya is an Indian brand that specializes in Khaleeji and Saudi pearls, led by Sanghvi Maitarya, the seventh-generation representative of his family business. (Supplied)

"We're here today with House of GOL to support them at a luxury jewelry event, following our earlier private event at ZAH. We support local and international designers through all PR and marketing activities, creating targeted strategies to drive exposure and growth, especially in Saudi Arabia," Nasr said.

The brand stands out by involving its clients in the jewelry creation process, hand drawing and painting the designs and then allowing clients to keep the drawings, adding a personal touch to the design experience.




House of GOL, a New York-based brand that specializes in colorful diamonds, brought a rare pink diamond to the exhibition. (Supplied)

Another standout brand at the event is Maitraya, an Indian company specializing in pure Gulf pearls, including khaleeji and Saudi pearls.

The brand is led by Sanghvi Maitarya, a seventh-generation representative of his family’s pearl business.




House of GOL, a New York-based brand that specializes in colorful diamonds, brought a rare pink diamond to the exhibition. (Supplied)

“My great-grandfather used to travel by boat,” said Maitarya. “This was before the Second World War and the discovery of oil. The oyster industry had declined and no longer produced these kinds of pearls. These are Saudi natural lulu pearls.”

He said that the pearls were no longer found in the Gulf, adding: “We collected them from grandmothers, maharajas, royal families, and other sources around the world.”

FerriFirenze, an Italian brand, is also impressing Saudi clients at the event.

Giulia Lina Callegari, owner of FerriFirenze, said: “We came to Saudi for the first time five years ago. We’ve seen the changes, the enthusiasm, the projects, and we’re always excited to meet local ladies who know jewelry, appreciate style, and often become our guests in Florence.”

FerriFirenze is a family business that began 10 years ago, and Callegari added: “We create jewelry that moves, physically moves when touched, is flexible, and so on. This style of jewelry can only be made by hand in Italy.”

 


New book provides deep dive into Saudi-Japanese business relations

New book provides deep dive into Saudi-Japanese business relations
Updated 9 sec ago
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New book provides deep dive into Saudi-Japanese business relations

New book provides deep dive into Saudi-Japanese business relations
  • Tokyo’s ambassador to Kingdom attends launch of ‘Descendants of the Samurai’
  • Author Khalid Al-Rashoud says it ‘provides insights into cultural differences, communication and negotiation styles’

RIYADH: As the Kingdom celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relations with Japan, dignitaries from the two nations came together in Riyadh recently for the launch of a new book that provides a deep insight into the world of Japanese commerce.

Titled “Descendants of the Samurai,” author Dr. Khalid Al-Rashoud told Arab News his work “provides insights into cultural differences, communication and negotiation styles, and building effective strategies for achieving professional success.”

The book, he said, “navigates business relations with the Japanese counterparts and provides fresh insights into the cultural norms, the stars of communications and successful strategic techniques for negotiations, holding meetings, resolving conflicts.”

Al-Rashoud, who has a doctorate in transformation management and development engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and once worked as an adviser at the Saudi Embassy in Japan, said the book would help people to “understand the unique character of Japanese people and Japanese culture, which is tremendously rich.”

“(Japan) has a long-standing history that is full of knowledge, full of philosophy, full of science that we need to utilize … (but) often the language barriers and also the geographic variety, hinder its reach.”

Al-Rashoud, who is also the author of “Saudi-Japanese Relations,” said his latest work was mostly aimed at business people, but would also benefit government officials and those working at nongovernmental organizations or as researchers or students.

He said he believed it could help bring Japan closer to the Kingdom and the Arab world in general.

Among the guests at the launch was Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino.

He told Arab News: “Japan and Saudi Arabia enjoy long-standing friendship and great relations in all areas including the economic and cultural. To further deepen the relationship, mutual understanding between the people is extremely important.

“So this work … is a great contribution to further deepening mutual understanding between the two people and deepening friendship between the two countries.”


Saudi Ardah sets Guinness World Record in Riyadh

Founding Day celebrations set a Guinness World Record for the largest Saudi Ardah performance in Riyadh. (SPA)
Founding Day celebrations set a Guinness World Record for the largest Saudi Ardah performance in Riyadh. (SPA)
Updated 28 min 25 sec ago
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Saudi Ardah sets Guinness World Record in Riyadh

Founding Day celebrations set a Guinness World Record for the largest Saudi Ardah performance in Riyadh. (SPA)
  • Performed on special occasions, the performance showcases the Kingdom’s heritage
  • It begins with the recital of a poem, followed by drummers setting the rhythm for the dancers

RIYADH: The Founding Day celebrations set a Guinness World Record for the largest Saudi Ardah performance in Riyadh, with 633 participants showcasing this traditional dance.

This achievement underscores the Ardah’s deep-rooted significance as a national tradition, reflecting pride in Saudi identity and a commitment to preserving and promoting cultural heritage globally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Principality of Riyadh Region from Feb. 20 to 23, the Founding Day event attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors from diverse backgrounds.

Performed on special occasions, the performance showcases the Kingdom’s heritage. It begins with the recital of a poem, followed by drummers setting the rhythm for the dancers.

The group leader then takes the stage, wielding a blade and demonstrating precise movements that mirror those of warriors in battle.


Manga Productions wins Saudi Media Forum Award for ‘Future’s Folktales 2’ anime

Manga Productions wins Saudi Media Forum Award for ‘Future’s Folktales 2’ anime
Updated 24 February 2025
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Manga Productions wins Saudi Media Forum Award for ‘Future’s Folktales 2’ anime

Manga Productions wins Saudi Media Forum Award for ‘Future’s Folktales 2’ anime

RIYADH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, or Misk, has won the Saudi Media Forum Award for the second season of its anime series “Future’s Folktales.”

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the award, in the media communication activities category, recognizes the company’s dedication to creating Saudi content that strengthens national identity and reaches audiences worldwide.

The recognition follows a large-scale communication and media campaign accompanying the series’ launch, which featured three global premiere screenings — two in Riyadh and one in Tokyo.

The campaign also included a global public relations initiative that generated 477 news articles across the Arab world and Japan, SPA reported.

On social media, a comprehensive digital campaign garnered more than 151 million views, complemented by prominent advertisements in major streets throughout Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province.

* This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Saudi Arabia’s king, crown prince congratulate Emperor Naruhito on Japan National Day

Saudi Arabia’s king, crown prince congratulate Emperor Naruhito on Japan National Day
Updated 24 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s king, crown prince congratulate Emperor Naruhito on Japan National Day

Saudi Arabia’s king, crown prince congratulate Emperor Naruhito on Japan National Day

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a cable of congratulations to Emperor Naruhito of Japan on the anniversary of his country’s national day.

King Salman and the Crown Prince wished the emperor good health and happiness, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

They also wished the government and the people of Japan steady progress and prosperity.

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Experts gather in Riyadh to address challenges to global humanitarian effort

Experts gather in Riyadh to address challenges to global humanitarian effort
Updated 24 February 2025
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Experts gather in Riyadh to address challenges to global humanitarian effort

Experts gather in Riyadh to address challenges to global humanitarian effort
  • 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum is being held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of KSrelief
  • KSrelief to sign agreements with global organizations as part of Kingdom's humanitarian efforts

RIYADH: Leaders, donors, humanitarian workers, and experts from around the world are set to converge in the Saudi capital on Monday to discuss and address challenges being faced by humanitarian aid agencies, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

Organized by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum is being held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the aid agency better known by its short name KSrelief.

Topics include the role of humanitarian diplomacy in conflicts and disasters, access to humanitarian aid and supply chains, and addressing displacement in an era of increasing conflicts and natural disasters, KSrelief Supervisor General Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah said during a roundtable session with media representatives on Sunday.

A mid-year report of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) last year said that at the end of June 2024, at least 122.6 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order. 

At the top of the list were Gaza, Sudan, Syria, Myanmar, Yemen, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Congo and Colombia.

During the two-day event, KSrelief will also sign several agreements with UN and international organizations as part of Saudi Arabia's humanitarian efforts, said Al-Rabeeah, who is also an adviser to the Royal Court.

Another activity programmed as part of the forum is a hackathon on "Artificial Intelligence in Humanitarian Relief," organized by the KSrelief in collaboration with Alfaisal University. The hackathon "aims to leverage AI-driven solutions to address critical humanitarian challenges in healthcare," Al-Rabeeah explained. 

He added that participating technology and humanitarian experts are expected "to develop innovative solutions aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on  AI, healthcare, and innovation."

Since 2015, KSrelief has implemented 2,670 projects worth more than $6.5 billion in 95 countries, in cooperation with 175 local, regional and international partners. The bulk of the support has gone to Yemen ($4.3 billion), Syria ($391 million), Palestine ($370 million) and Somalia ($227 million).

KSrelief’s programs cover food security, health, sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, telecommunications and logistics.