Our Factory
Our Craftsmanship
We take immense pride in the craftsmanship and creativity of our artisans, who breathe life into our time-honored jewelry and fashion accessories. In the heart of historic Cairo, skilled hands meticulously bring each piece to fruition using techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Each product we offer undergoes a meticulously crafted sequential production cycle, unique to its design and materials. Whether it's the delicate art of mother of pearl inlay, the intricate craving, the finesse of metal smithing, or the stone setting and finishing, where eveything is miticallously assembled together. From the initial inspiration to the final refinement, our artisans skillfully progress through distinct stages of the creativity involved in crafting Jewelry, bags, shoes, belts, and more.
With attention to detail and a deep-rooted respect for tradition, imbuing each creation with a touch of cultural heritage and an empowered elegance. We honor the journey of our products, a reflection of artistry, passion, and the art of preserving our cultural legacy.
Artisanal Techniques and Production Cycles
Our production process is a labor of love, involving five distinct stages that culminate in exceptional jewelry and accessories. Our artisans are skilled in various methods, infusing each piece with artistry and creativity. That goes as the followng:
Design
Our motifs and designs are traced, abstracted, and adapted with a contemporary appeal, passing through many iterations to reach their final version.
Prototyping
Following the design stage, we move to prototyping, where different materials and applications are tested to find the most complementing technique and materiality for each design.
Materials Preparation
After finalizing the designs and reaching the aimed quality in sampling and prototyping, production follows. We carefully prepare the mother of pearl and brass materials, getting them ready for our skilled artisan, the "Sadafeky," to work his magic.
Carving and Cutting
With precision and artistry, the "Sadafeky" carves and cuts the pieces into exquisite designs, turning our techincal drawings into reality.
Inlay and Engraving
Next, comes the intricate stage of inlay and engraving, where each piece is delicately assembled, and every detail is meticulously highlighted.
Finishing
At the "Ostorgy" stage, the finishing touches are added, ensuring flawlessly crafted creations. This stage can be gold platting.
Harmonious Fusion - Assembling
In the final stage, the assembled brass or silver pieces seamlessly merge with stunning mother of pearl elements, resulting in a breathtaking fusion of tradition and contemporary elegance.
These diverse techniques, combined with our passion for metal smithing and meticulous assembly, result in enchanting and distinctive pieces that celebrate art, heritage, and craftsmanship. From start to finish, we pour our hearts into every creation, ensuring that you wear jewelry that truly speaks to your unique style and spirit. Welcome to the world of Hermania, where tradition meets innovation, and each piece tells a captivating story of culture and creativity.
Mother of Pearl
A unique natural material that has captured the imagination of artisans and designers for centuries, and at Hermania, we're captivated by its unique beauty and iridescent luster. We specialize in the art of mother of pearl inlay and carving from intricate inlaid patterns to delicate carved details, where our creations demand meticulous attention to detail and precision, ensuring quality and consistency in color and thickness.
Our skilled artisans in Historic Cairo use traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations to create stunning and timeless pieces that showcase the natural beauty of mother of pearl. From intricately carved and inlaid Fashion and Lifestyle accessories, our creations are a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of this remarkable material.
We take pride in working with a sustainable and eco-friendly material and showcasing the unique properties of mother of pearl in all of our designs. By preserving and promoting the traditional techniques of mother of pearl inlay and carving, we're not only honoring the history and heritage of this beautiful material but also creating pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind.
At Hermania, we invite you to explore the magic of mother of pearl and experience the beauty and elegance of this ancient decorative art form.
Inlay
Mother of pearl inlay is a remarkable decorative technique that transforms ordinary objects into stunning works of art. This meticulous process requires a skilled hand and a keen eye for detail, as each step is carefully executed to achieve a seamless and timeless pieces. The process begins with designing a pattern or design that will be brought to life with the natural beauty of mother of pearl, which may be combined with other materials such as bone, tortoise, or wood, or more contemporary materials such as acrylic or mother of pearl veneers. Next, small pieces of mother of pearl are skillfully cut and shaped to fit the design, a delicate and intricate process that requires patience and precision. Once the pieces are ready, they are set into the larger object, such as furniture, picture frames, or jewelry, using an adhesive. Finally, the surface is polished to create a seamless finish that highlights the iridescence and luster of the mother of pearl. The result is a breathtaking and unique piece of art that captures the eye and imagination, and adds a touch of luxury and sophistication to any object. At Hermania, we're passionate about the artistry of mother of pearl inlay, and our skilled artisans use traditional techniques to create pieces that are both timeless and elegant.
Carved
Mother of pearl carving, on the other hand, involves using specialized tools to carve larger pieces of mother of pearl into intricate designs and patterns. This time-honored process demands a deep understanding of the unique properties of mother of pearl, as well as a keen eye for detail and a steady hand. The artisan must balance the aesthetic appeal of the design with the structural integrity of the piece, creating a work of art that is both visually stunning and structurally sound. It can take years of practice and experience to master the art of mother of pearl carving, perfecting the skills required to transform each piece of mother of pearl into a masterpiece of art.
Metal Smithing
Metal smithing is a traditional technique that has been used for centuries to create beautiful and intricate jewelry designs. At Hermania, we are proud of our metal smithing process and the high level of craftsmanship that goes into every piece we create.
Our metal smithing process involves multiple steps that require a high level of skill and expertise. First, the metal is annealed, or heated to a specific temperature, to make it more malleable and easier to work with. Then, our artisans shape, cut, and solder the metal together to create the desired design. Finally, each piece is polished and finished to give it a bright and shiny appearance.
One of the benefits of metal smithing is the versatility of the materials used. We use a variety of metals in our designs, including sealed brass, plated and sterling silver and gold plated, each with its own unique properties and characteristics.
What sets us apart is that everything is crafted by hand by local artisans in historic Cairo. Our artisans have honed their skills over years of practice and are committed to creating jewelry pieces that are both beautiful and of the highest quality. From the initial design to the finished product, every step of the process is done by hand, ensuring that each piece is unique and made with care.
After the metal smithing process is complete, the jewelry pieces move on to the assembly phase. This is where any additional components such as clasps, chains, and earring posts are added to the design. Our artisans carefully assemble each piece by hand, paying close attention to the details to ensure that the finished product is both beautiful and functional.
Combining metal smithing with other artisanal techniques such as stone setting, mother of pearl inlay, and carving, we create truly unique and stunning pieces. Our artisans use their expertise to create intricate designs that incorporate these techniques, adding a level of detail and elegance that is unmatched.
At Hermania, we take pride in our craftsmanship and the attention to detail that goes into every piece of jewelry we create. Our metal smithing process is just one of the many ways we ensure that our jewelry is of the highest quality and will be treasured for generations to come.
Brass
A durable and affordable option that offers a warm and rich tone, making it a popular choice for jewelry making. Our artisans use their expertise to create stunning designs that showcase the natural beauty of brass, experimenting with different textures, colors, and finishes to create unique and on-trend pieces. Some of our brass pieces are also plated with 18k gold, adding a touch of luxury and elegance to the design.
Sterling Silver
A classic choice that offers a bright and shiny finish while being durable and hypoallergenic. Our artisans use their metal smithing skills to create intricate designs that complement the silver, ensuring that every piece is both beautiful and timeless. Some of our silver pieces are also plated with 18k gold, adding a touch of warmth and luxury to the design.
Assembling
At Hermania, we take immense pride in the craftsmanship and creativity of our artisans, who breathe life into our time-honored jewelry and fashion accessories. In the heart of historic Cairo, skilled hands meticulously bring each piece to fruition using techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Each product we offer undergoes a meticulously crafted sequential production cycle, unique to its design and materials. From the initial inspiration to the final refinement, our artisans skillfully progress through distinct stages, each requiring precision and expertise. Whether it's the delicate art of mother of pearl inlay, the intricate craving of wood, the finesse of metal smithing, or the creativity involved in crafting bags, shoes, belts, and more, every piece is a masterpiece in its own right. With attention to detail and a deep-rooted respect for tradition, our artisans bring our designs to life, imbuing each creation with a touch of cultural heritage and an empowered elegance. At Hermania, we honor the journey of our products, a reflection of artistry, passion, and the art of preserving our cultural legacy.
Our Local Artisans
At Hermania, we are proud to work with talented local artisans in historic Cairo who bring our jewelry designs to life. Our artisans come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team.
Many of our artisans come from families with a long history of working in traditional crafts such as metal smithing and stone setting. They have learned their skills from their parents or other family members and have honed their craft over years of practice and dedication.
Our artisans take great pride in their work and are committed to producing jewelry pieces of the highest quality. They pay close attention to every detail and take the time to ensure that each piece is crafted with care and precision.
We believe that by working with local artisans, we are able to create jewelry pieces that are not only beautiful but also meaningful. Each piece tells a story of the passion and dedication that went into its creation, and we are proud to support the local communities that produce these works of art.
LET‘S MAKE EARRINGS TOGETHER
Take some time with us to meet Mohamed Telb -Mother of pearl artisan- as he takes us through the production of an earrings; where he goes through the stages and process of his craft production for Hermania’s documentation video.
When creating our timeless mother of pearl earrings, we are always in awe of our incredible artisans that we partner with to meticulously craft these amazing jewelry pieces with care and precision.
They take our production values to heart and always exceed our expectations with the outcome.
Always handmade and heart made.
OUR DESIGNS
Bridging the gap between contemporary and traditional designs, we break stereotypes, experiment with captivating motifs, and meticulously refine each piece until it embodies the perfect fusion of elegance and significance.
A Journey of Cultural Exploration
At Hermania, our design process is a captivating voyage, drawing inspiration from Cairo's untold stories and art. It all begins with the spark of inspiration drawn from Cairo's diverse cultural heritage—a wealth of untold stories and captivating art. Our ideas take shape as we trace, abstract, and adapt motifs, infusing them with contemporary flair and breaking stereotypes along the way. Through multiple iterations and careful craftsmanship, we transform concepts into refined designs that resonate with our vision. The prototyping phase allows us to experiment and test various materials and techniques, ensuring each piece exudes elegance and sustainability. Guided by the skilled hands of our artisans, production commences, bringing each design to life from mother of pearl preparation to intricate engraving and finishing. The final result is a timeless masterpiece that celebrates tradition while embracing modern brilliance, empowered by our commitment to authenticity, cultural preservation, and innovative design.
Throughout the process, we take great care in prototyping, testing various materials and techniques to achieve the perfect blend of elegance and sustainability. Each design iteration reaches its milestone, honing its unique identity while staying true to our vision. Once the concept is perfected, our artisans bring it to life through time-honored craftsmanship. From prepping mother of pearl and brass to intricate carving, inlay, engraving, and finishing, every stage is executed with meticulous attention to detail.
The result is an exquisite product—a testament to design excellence, materiality, and cultural heritage. But we don't stop there. With a commitment to continuous improvement, we refine the final version, ensuring each piece embodies the beauty and significance of our heritage. Through this holistic process, we create timeless treasures that resonate with the heart and soul, empowering both the wearer and the artisans behind each masterpiece.