ABOUT
MARIYEH GHELICHKHANI
Mariyeh Ghelichkhani, the founder and creative director of her eponymous jewellery brand, is an Emirati artist, deeply shaped by her Persian heritage and a rich tapestry of varied cultural influences.
The Beginning: From Grief to Creation
Mariyeh Ghelichkhani did not set out to become a jeweller. Her journey began after the loss of her father, Abi Ghelichkhani, a renowned silversmith in Tehran celebrated for his artistry and innovation.
At his boutique, Carat, he developed a distinctive style of silversmithing that blended antique European traditions with Eastern aesthetics. Every piece was crafted in-house, often bespoke, and marked by technical finesse and originality. He introduced forms and finishes entirely new to Iran’s rich silver tradition.
The loss of her father was a devastating blow to Mariyeh. Somehow she wanted to remain connected with him – close to him.
A friend suggested that she should take up goldsmithing lessons as a way of coping with her grief. The first time she sat at a bench, something inside her moved. She could not stop crying as all her my childhood memories flooded back.
Being in the workshop brought her closer to her father — reconnected her to her heritage and his legacy. It became her safe place, her sanctuary.
Craftsmanship: A Hands-On Education
Her training was far from conventional, but she was determined to persevere. She took her unfinished pieces to local workshops. One master craftsman, saw in her work, a unique individuality, and potential in her talents, and he invited her to work beside him. There, she patiently learnt each skill — from setting stones under a microscope to refining flawed designs.
Much of the skills were familiar to her and flowed from her many memories of the time she had spent in her father’s workshop as a child. Driven by persistence, curiosity, and the enduring memory of her father, she honed her abilities.
Gemstones: A Love for Colour
From the earliest of ages, Mariyeh has always been captivated by colour. Today, she works almost exclusively with exceptional coloured gemstones, which she sources with care and intention.
While she values diamonds as supporting players, her heart belongs to stones such as Paraiba tourmalines, opals, aquamarines, and spinels. Her process is deeply personal, intuitive, and at times even spiritual.
She has built trusted relationships with gem dealers and cutters in Brazil, Hong Kong, and Europe, always seeking stones with presence, integrity, and a story waiting to be told.
The Artistic Vision: Jewellery with a Soul
Every piece begins with emotion. Mythology, memory, and the natural world are recurring inspirations. Her designs are technically complex, unrepeatable, and developed in close collaboration with skilled artisans. “I sit beside the goldsmiths. I’m not easy. But I want the piece to be alive,” she says.
In a market often defined by repetition, Mariyeh’s work is rooted in originality and authenticity. “I want to create things that haven’t been seen before — jewels that are beautiful but also carry soul and meaning.”
Emirati Roots, Global Outlook
Now based in the United Arab Emirates, Mariyeh draws inspiration from the country’s forward-looking vision, safety, and cultural diversity. Her Emirati identity blends seamlessly with her Persian heritage and the global perspective gained from living in cities including Marbella, Istanbul, Lisbon, and London.
This confluence of influences — deeply personal yet outward-looking — is reflected in her jewellery, which speaks a universal language of beauty, reflection and meaning.
“Each piece is a reflection of my journey —
they offer others an invitation to connect with their own personal voyage through life.”
~ MARIYEH GHELICHKHANI
Blogs/ Press & Media
Jewelry insights: By Katerina Perez
Legacy of Love: The Dreamlike Jewels of Emirati Designer Mariyeh Ghelichkhani
Soigne: Cover Shoot with Danya Mohammed
Issue 002, heads to the shore with cover star Danya Mohammed for a new dawn of modest coastal fashion.
Mojeh: By Naomi Chadderton
MOJEH speaks to the founders of three new jewellery brands in the region to discover the inspirations and stories behind their designs.
Haya: June 2025 Issue
تعد رحلة المصممة ماریه قلیشخانی في عالم المجوهرات امتاداداً لإرث والدها، هي التي نشأت وصط كنوز ثمينة و أعمال فتية نادرة، مما مهد لها الطريق للدخول الى عالم تصميم المجوهرات