Sabine Ghanem: Timeless, antique jewelry

Designing alluring jewelry is an art that requires a great deal of understanding of various cultures. And Swiss-born London-based jewelry designer Sabine Ghanem’s pieces certainly have that feel. She balances the antique touch with the young, playful and refined attributes giving her jewelry a different look altogether. In an exclusive interview with Arab News, she talks about her love of jewelry and what it means to her.

When did you realize your love for jewelry?
I always loved jewelry but I never imagined I would be doing it as a business! I am happy things have gone well for me. It’s just wonderful.

What do you love the most about it?
Jewelry is timeless. It stays forever and can be passed on through generations.

Where do you get your ideas from to integrate in your designs?
I come upon my ideas from the past, from people I admire, from various cultures and eras. There is a lot to be inspired by.

What are the things you get inspired by instantly?
I would say people. It’s yes or no, it’s very simple. After that, it’s music. The effect of which is instantaneous. So I am very much a fan of opera music. It’s quite scintillating.

What makes your jewelry products unique and different?
I hope they are unique and I know they are different because they are only my interpretation and no one else’s.

In what way has your upbringing given a vital touch to what you do?
I think my Middle Eastern origins have allowed me a certain generosity in my designs. More is more! And more is beautiful.

How would you like to describe your jewels? Are they chic or vintage in style?
They do have a strong antique feel but they are also young, playful, elegant and refined.

How do you decide which shapes are more perfect than others?
It is something that the reason can’t explain. There is something in the eye. Your eye and then your feelings tell you if you have created a harmonious shape or not. It’s pretty much intuitive.

What stones and materials do you use in the making of your treasured items?
I use gold. I used rose gold for my first collection and for the second collection I went for gold without any Rhodium. I played with many stones for the Harlequin collection. I used diamonds, emeralds, and rubies, blue, yellow and pink sapphires.

Did you go to any jewelry design institute? If yes, what was your experience like and what did you learn there?
I went to GIA in New York. It was a great experience. I can’t tell you how useful it is to know how to grade a stone.

What do women look for in their jewels?
From my perspective, women look for three important things; confidence, glamor, and elegance in their jewels. It’s believed to be an enhanced second skin.

Who are these women wearing your designs?
They are certainly independent women who love to buy their own jewelry. Their attitude toward life is all about having fun, being extravagant, and hence it’s always classic mother or daughter.

What are the secrets to creating priceless jewels?
I believe its timelessness. If you work on it with utter passion, it will never age.

What about celebrities who have worn your jewelry so far and the ones you wish to see wearing your jewelry?
I have been lucky enough to have Celine Dion, Daphne Guinness, and Emma Watson wear my pieces. However, my dream is to have my jewelry on Cate Blanchett. My dream changes every day but today that’s the only dream I have.

Tell us something about your latest collection “Harlequin”. What inspired it?
I wanted to have fun in this second collection and play with jewelry. It is inspired by the art deco era and also by women I admire such as Marisa Berenson and Catherine Deneuve. It also has a 60’s feel with bold colors and funny shapes.

Where are your designs polished and given the last minute touch?
Everything is done at the atelier in Florence, Italy. They only leave the atelier once they are fully completed.

What are your future goals?
Well, I look forward to bringing more creations and at the same time having more fun, and hopefully I will have my own store soon.
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