www.womanthismonth.com September 2016 45 ALL THAT GLITTERS It wouldn’t be luxury if we didn’t mention jewellery and there are plenty of options. Moda Mall alone has almost 60 brands represented from the giants of De Beers and Tiffany, to local companies such as Kooheji Jewellery, a family owned and run business that is very much on a personal footing with both its international designers and customers. The Gold Souq might not sound particularly glamorous but figures show that in times of uncertainty, such as the world is currently witnessing with the UK leaving the European Union, the impending election in the USA and the much weakened oil price, gold is seen as a reliable investment. Its price has rallied this year and experts expect more of the same so, it’s not just pretty, it’s also a good investment. Some would say having a piece of jewellery custom made is the height of luxury. If you’re one of them, check out Harmony Jewellers in the Gold Souq where Hussain turns his hand to creating some really beautiful pieces. Of course, if you’re shopping for jewellery in Bahrain, you cannot ignore the island’s history as a pearl diving nation. Bahrain, in fact, bans the import of cultured pearls in a bid to preserve this heritage. To own a Bahraini pearl is really something quite special, particularly if you have dived for it yourself, which it’s possible to do from both Al Dar Islands and Amwaj Marina. Don’t fancy getting your toes wet? Mattar Jewelers, in Al Ali Shopping Complex, has been dealing in high-quality Bahraini pearls for more than 150 years. TIME ON YOUR HANDS Many people cite time itself as a luxury, and what better way to express that than with a gorgeous timepiece? If the world’s most expensive watch, the Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette, (pictured) is out of your price range, at its current valuation of around USD30 million, never fear, there are numerous beautiful, but slightly more affordable, items being released every year from the world’s top watchmakers. Check out Asia Jewellers for a great selection such as Panerai and Raymond Weil. SAILS IN THE SUNSET On an island surrounded by water, it’s surprising how few of us ever actually set foot on board a boat. But it’s also one of the top fantasies whenever people are asked their idea of luxury. And surprisingly, it doesn’t have to be that expensive. Biss Marine at Amwaj Marina has an impressive array of yachts which can be hired for anything from a couple of hours to a full day for fishing, cruising or visiting the surrounding islands. Dig out that Pucci bikini and channel your inner film star. And if you really do want to go for the luxury travel option, check out privatefly.com, which charters private jets out of both Bahrain International Airport and Shaikh Isa Airbase Airport. BAHRAIN BEAUTY “The allure of the pearl has captivated the Queen of Sheba, Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great, all of whom are said to have worn Bahraini pearls. Their fabulous lustre is to do with the combination of the sea's freshwater springs that give the island Kingdom its name – Bahrain means ‘two seas’ in Arabic – and its warm, shallow, highly saline water. Whatever rare alchemy creates these lustrous objects, then as now Bahraini pearls are widely believed to be the best in the world.” Katherine Bergen writing in the Wall Street Journal in 2010.
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