Meet Nida Jamal of ArHaz Jewels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nida Jamal.

Hi Nida, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Pakistan-American raised in New York City. I have background in biochemistry. I have been in a board member, director and ambassador to many international charitable organizations. I am a busy mom and actively involved in philanthropic projects.

I am a founder/ CEO of ArHaz Jewels, a women empowerment jewelry/gemstone line. The mission behind this brand is to empower rural women in Pakistan with sustainability and create a bridge between the artisans and the global market.

A few years ago, I was visiting Pakistan and ended up traveling to the Himalayan mountains of Gilgit Baltistan. I met women who were trained in gem cutting and jewelry making, due to limited resources, were living below the poverty line.

My work focuses on empowerment of women specially in marginalized communities Over the past few years, I have helped rebuild centers across Pakistan for women. There are currently 200 women artisans employed. These women have different skill sets, from making craft jewelry, bead making, and gem cutting to making fine jewelry. We have been able to combine all the skills to create stunning jewelry pieces. Every piece is handcrafted and can take up to 180 hours to make.

All stones are ethically sourced. I work directly with local miners and go into the mines. I pay the miners fair trade value for the rough stones and the women cut them.

The jewelry is hand-made by talented local women, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. The brand aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

When I started my journey, I relied on a web of connections reaching out to friends who introduced me to their network of and building collaborative efforts and joining forces. My biggest support system and the backbone of this project was friends from the Embassy of Pakistan in DC, from close friends who are diplomats to the Ambassador.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been an easy road. I started from grassroots and traveled into the villages to understand the complexity of mining, access to raw material and gaps in the supply chain. After understanding the logistic gaps, it took me a year to build the foundation. I met with the highest level of government officials, NGO’s, gemstone sector’s stakeholders. Registering my business in Pakistan and in US. Working through challenges in a male dominated industry Even now, we are a work in progress navigating through challenges from lack of electricity, harsh climates, and dangerous travel.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about ArHaz Jewels?
ArHaz Jewels elevate women, and celebrate cultures. Every piece of jewelry connects artisan talent in Pakistan globally.

All our gemstones are ethically sourced focusing on gender equality, economic growth, and responsible consumption. What are unique from other brands we do not produce mass production. We are exclusive but also inclusive. Our jewelry is handcrafted by women and goes through a rigorous process of quality control. Every stone is checked by a gemologist and certified. Our promise is to transparency, traceability and accountability.

We have kept our price point economical and affordable. By cutting out the middleman we are able to cut the prices in half compared else where. We work with precious and semiprecious gemstone, and silver.

Our jewelry is wearable pieces of art that cannot be replicated and crafted with love and dignity.

How do you think about luck?
I have been lucky to have incredible friends who have been my support system. A wealth of meaningful connections who paved the way for me to get connected to the right people. Like the saying goes “it take a village to raise a child” it has taken a village to bring ArHaz jewels to where it is now.

Pricing:

• $150
• $180
• $215
• $250
• $350

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arhazjewels.com/
• Instagram: Arhazjewels
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nidajamal-arhaz