One of my most memorable memories during my visit to the Doha Jewellery & Watch Exhibition was meeting Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser; who has inspired many of us with her charismatic personality and her impeccable style!
Her Highness Sheikha Moza is an example of how a woman, staying in a conservative eastern country, could become a style icon and one of the most influential people in the political arena. Sheikha Moza manages to look elegant in keeping up with the traditional and religious sentiments of her country; whether dressed in stylish floor-length dresses, wide trousers or jackets; a turban is always on her head. Her charisma doesn’t end there; she has the world’s best jewellery collection from Cartier, David Webb, Bulgari, Graff and Chaumet to name a few.
In my article, I will be sharing exquisite jewels adorned by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
Let’s begin by knowing who Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser is! Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned is the consort of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of the State of Qatar and is co-founder and chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), a private non-profit organization founded in 1995. Sheikha married Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in 1977 at the age of 18 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Qatar University in 1986.
Sheikha Mozah has a stunning collection of pearl necklaces, that she graciously adorns on her haute couture dresses, whether it is a simple strand of pearl necklace or layers of pearls. Featured above are Robert Wan and Mikimoto pearls.
I would like to highlight one of the most exquisite necklaces from her treasury. Featured above is Cartier’s Eternity snake diamond necklace that is believed to be modified for Sheikha. Naomi Campbell wore a platinum Cartier snake necklace called Eternity, which was embellished with the two largest emeralds in the world, weighing 205 and 206 carats, along with 26 baroque pear emeralds, 3957 diamonds, and fine pearls, specially crafted to commemorate 150 anniversary of the Maison. The necklace is believed to be modified for Sheikha Moza by replacing the big emeralds with two big white diamonds and removing the small emeralds & pearls. Sheikha Mozar wore the necklace with a grey J. Mendel Couture dress in 2010 at the event in London. I am presenting to you both versions of the necklace. Let me know in the comment which one appeals to you the most: the one worn by Naomi Campbell or Sheikha Moza.
Another exquisite jewel is by Boghossian worn by Sheikha Moza from their “Kissing” collection. The speciality of this collection is that it allows stones to float over one another; the upper one is cut according to classical rules, and the lower one has a flatter shape, acting as a supporting stand to the former. The brand’s founder and creative director, Albert Boghossian shared, “This intricate setting was achieved through revolutionary techniques, whereby the aim was to reduce gold to a minimum, freeing the gems and allowing them to shine uniquely and powerfully. It takes meticulous work, know-how and precision to achieve such a result. It has taken us quite some years to fully master this technique.” Sheikha wore Colombian emerald earrings with her Christian Dior haute couture suit during her meeting with the French President in Paris.
While talking about her highness Sheikha Moza’s extraordinary jewellery collection it is important to talk about her impressive personality as well! On marrying Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; initially, Sheikha led a traditional lifestyle; and spent her time raising seven children. In 1986, she completed her graduation and earned her degree in sociology from Qatar University and later earned a Masters’s degree in Public Policy in Islam from Hamad Bin Khalifa University. In the above images, Her Highness Sheikha Moza is seen in David Webb coral and gold jewels and Valentino Haute Couture Ensemble during her visit to the Dutch King coronation ceremony in April 2013, in Amsterdam.
Her Highness Sheikha Moza is a powerhouse personality and belts do play a role in her power dressing. Her well-fitted Haute couture dress with minimal makeup has been accentuated by the belts that she wears. In the images above Sheikha is wearing Silvia Furmanovich’s custom-made marquetry moonlight belt made with gold, mother-of-pearl and diamonds.
The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens”. So you can imagine how extraordinary Sheikha Moza’s pearl jewellery collection will be? Featured above is one of the most magnificent Cartier pearl necklaces, Sheikha wore during her visit to Morocco for Prince Moulay Rachid’s wedding in Nov 2014.
Hope you are enjoying the article about the jewellery of Sheikha Moza and her wonderful life journey!
Continuing with Sheikha Moza’s life story, after Sheikha earned a Masters’s degree in Public Policy in Islam from Hamad bin Khalifa University, Sheika began to take an active part in the development and welfare of Qatar along with her husband; Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Later, Sheikha began working as a Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, an organization she co-founded with her husband, with a vision to make Qatar a leader in the field of education and healthcare.
And now, talking about jewels; featured above is a statement Harry Winston diamond necklace; worn during her visit to Sudan in March 2017; dressed in a black Christian Dior haute couture dress.
Whether it is about wearing jewellery or even a talisman, trust Sheikha Moza to do it in style. In the above images, Sheikha is seen wearing a Cartier Hamsa necklace and is dressed in Valentino for the Fashion Trust Arabia prize ceremony in Doha.
The Hamsa is a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Depicting the open right hand, an image recognized and used as a sign of protection many times throughout history, the hamsa has been traditionally believed to provide defence against the evil eye. In Jewish culture, the hamsa is associated with the number five because of the five fingers depicted on the hand. Over the years it is incorporated into jewellery and worn as a style statement.
How did you find Sheikha’s talisman? Let me know in the comments.
When it’s Sheikha Moza then even minimal jewellery will turn out to be a stunning style statement. Incidentally, Sheikha Moza has been a great admirer of the Italian brand Buccellati which specializes in engraving techniques Rigato, Telato and Modellato to create dazzling effects in its products. Founded in 1919 in Milan by Mario Buccellati, who earned the nickname “The Prince of Goldsmiths”, the brand is known for its commitment to excellence. In the above image, Sheikha is wearing a Red Orange Valentino Haute Couture gown. Isn’t she a head-turner?
Sheikha Moza always styles herself in the world’s best apparel brands such as Chanel, Dior, Valentino, and Ulyana Sergeyenko to name a few; and always dazzles with the best jewellery; whether big or small Sheika Moza’s jewellery collection never fails to turn heads!
I have shared above a small piece of accessory- the brooch which Sheikha wears and styles with elan! Featured above are Buccellati and Van Cleef and Arpels diamond rose brooch.
Chaumet’s Diamond Wings Tiara brooches are one of the most unique and exclusive jewelry. The highlight of the brooch is that the tiara consists of a frame surmounted by a pair of wings and the feathers are closely set with diamonds, and patches of translucent blue enamel. The fascinating feature is that the wings can be adjusted to any angle; and can be taken off the frame to be worn as a brooch, individually or as a pair. Interestingly, the motif was inspired by the winged helmets worn by the flying Valkyries in the operas of Richard Wagner.
What an inspiration! And what an attractive piece of jewellery! Don’t you agree?
Among the vast and exquisite collection of jewellery, Sheikha Mozah has an obsession with
Cartier Panthère jewellery. And rightly so, for the Cartier Panthère is an iconic jewellery motif. The history of the Cartier Panthère began with Jeanne Toussaint who was nicknamed “La Panthère” by Louis Cartier. Soon she became the Head of Creation at Cartier and her contributions led the company to even greater success throughout the 1900s.
Featured above are a few Cartier Panthère jewels adorned by Her Highness!
It is commendable how Sheikha wears every piece of jewellery with flair!
Sheikha Moza manages to look elegant and not depart too much from the religious requirements of her country; whether dressed in stylish floor-length dresses, wide trousers or jackets; a turban is obligatory on the head and Sheikha has styled her turban with an exclusive head accessory. Featured above are a few turban Brooches styled by Sheikha! Isn’t she a trendsetter?
One of my favourite necklaces which I had the opportunity to view up close on Sheikha Moza is the Udyana necklace by Cartier. The word Udyana, which means “Garden” in Sankrit; showcases the symbolic style and colour palette of 1920s Tutti Frutti designs. Set in platinum, the necklace forms a rich canopy of gemstones and is designed to be worn in several ways. The highlight of the necklace is 67.7carat hexagonal shape engraved ruby pendant from Mozambique. This engraving is entirely carried out by hand, using a technique developed by the Mughals in the 17th century.
It was a pleasure meeting Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned at the Doha Jewellery and Watch exhibition 2022 and before I wrap my article; I would like to highlight Sheikha Moza’s achievements.
Her Highness Sheikha Moza serves as the Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, an organization she co-founded with her husband, with a vision to make Qatar a leader in the fields of education and healthcare; additionally, Sheikha Moza served as the Vice Chair of the Supreme Council of Health from 2009-2014 and as the Vice Chair of the Supreme Education Council from 2006-2012. In these roles, she helped enact major top-down reforms in Qatar’s public schools and the healthcare system.
Her Highness is an inspiration and an example of how a woman staying in a conservative eastern country could become a style icon and one of the most influential people in the political area and it’s commendable how Sheikha wears every piece of jewellery with flair!