The second part of the interview with Surra Rashid

Over the second part of the interview of the “SEE” news website, Surra Rashid, a Kuwaiti jewellery designer, who uncovered criteria of evaluating pearl and the main differences between it and the artificial one.

“SEE: What are the differences between the natural and artificial pearl and have purchases of pearl declined in Kuwait?

S. Rashid: the natural pearl no longer interests the Kuwaiti citizens due to its expensive price compared with the artificial pearl of the lower cost that resembles the natural beads despite its price is about 90% of the natural pearl.

Distinguishing the natural pearl from the artificial one is achieved by experience only which enables the merchant to define whether the beads are natural or artificial.

When the fisherman inserts a sand grain or any other particle inside a shell which attacks that invader the artificial pearl starts to form.

The artificial pearl differs in glistening, colour and value from the natural pearl which forms by entering a sand grain into the shell without any human interference to create the natural pearl.

The natural pearl is depicted as long-timed beads.

The age of the natural pearl depends on the surrounding circumstances, for example, the incense spoils the pearl which is affected by darkness.

Pearl needs ventilating and washing with fresh water from time to time even after crafting into a necklace to rejuvenate the beads.

Pearl ages and its colour fades as time reduces its shining.

However, the price of a pearl necklace starts at one thousand Kuwaiti Dinar (about US USD 3000) and the price rises without a ceiling.

The value of one bead of pearls may reach 10.000 Kuwaiti Dinar according to factors of volume, shining, roundness and colour.

“SEE”: What is the unit of measuring pearl?

S. Rashid: Pearl is measured by a unit called: Jo.

A bead is weighed by carat then the weight is converted to Jo.

The value of a Jo differs according to clarity and specifics.

Only the big beads of pearls may be measured by Jo.

The volume of pearl beads differs according to the clarity of water where the shells are extracted.

Over the past time, there were big beads known as “haswat” ( pebble ) but it had disappeared due to pollution.

At the present time, there are many kinds of the natural pearl such as Al-Qumash, Al Shaheenah, Al Shernat, and Al Jalwat but the best kind is Al Juaan.

“SEE”: How pearl is evaluated?

S. Rashid: evaluation of pearl and its prices depends on factors such as the kind and volume.

The assessing is related to the kind, shape, colour and the other outer factors like shining, wet and smoothness.

The reddish beads are the most excellent then ranks the whitish and the yellowish.

The volume of the pearl beads is defined by putting the beads in a round perforated copper pan which is called in Kuwait as “ Tos”.

The pan has varied holes to sieve the beads of pearl.

“SEE”: Tell us about your collections which you have presented so far?

S. Rashid: I had made the “Mahraja" collection that was inspired by the Indian inheritance.

Also, I designed “Qatrat” and Jasmine Flower, Al Matraqah collections.

The last collection represents the modern strong woman.

I designed “Ayouss” collection of the natural pearl only.

“SEE”: What are the international shows you participated in?

S. Rashid: I have participated in numerous specialized local and international shows in Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Sharjah.

“SEE”: You’re a member of the Kuwaiti Union of Gold Merchants (KUGM), have you been interested in public work in jewellery sector?

S. Rashid: I wanted to convey a message that the Kuwaiti woman can work in the professions of men.

I am the only woman on the board of the KUGM and I seek to win this post of Director- Manager of the KUGM over the next elections.

We need youths’ thought in managing the jewellery sector as well as the modern methods of technologies to develop the gold sector in Kuwait.

Translated by Ahmed Moamar