Our Story
Our Story
Gafla was founded in 2010 by Hamad Bin Shaiban Al Mheiri and Abdulla BelJafla from a shared desire to create a contemporary jewellery house rooted in the stories of the UAE and the Arabian Gulf.
Meaning “caravan” in Arabic, Gafla represents a journey shaped by people, traditions, landscapes, memories, and the exchange of culture across generations.
Each collection begins with research and storytelling. A forgotten detail, a family ritual, a historic symbol, or a cultural practice becomes the starting point for a piece designed to carry meaning beyond its form.
Today, Gafla continues to transform heritage into contemporary fine jewellery, creating pieces that connect the past with the present and become part of the stories still being written.
The Purpose
Gafla was created with a simple ambition: to tell the stories of our region through objects that endure.
By combining cultural research, craftsmanship, and design, we create jewellery that preserves fragments of history while remaining relevant to modern life.
Each piece becomes a bridge between generations, carrying stories from the past while gathering new ones of its own.
Gafla Founders
A Heritage of Stories
Our inspiration comes from the people and traditions that shaped the Emirates.
From pearl divers crossing open waters, to perfumers blending oils by hand, from historic coins and architecture to family gatherings and everyday rituals, each collection explores a different chapter of cultural memory.
Rather than preserving these stories behind glass, we reimagine them through design, allowing them to be worn, shared, and passed on.
For us, jewellery becomes a vessel for memory. A way of carrying heritage into the future.
"“Gafla is how we share our stories with the world. Through jewellery, we preserve memories, celebrate heritage, and create connections that continue across generations.”"
The Gafla Experience
Entering the world of Gafla is an invitation into a story.
A story shaped by heritage, conversation, memory, and discovery.
We believe the most meaningful pieces are chosen with intention. For this reason, every Gafla experience is designed to feel personal, whether through private appointments, bespoke commissions, intimate gatherings, or moments shared around a collection and its inspiration.
We welcome our clients not simply as collectors, but as part of an ongoing journey. A journey where stories are exchanged, traditions are remembered, and new memories begin to take shape.
Over time, the jewellery becomes a reminder of those moments, carrying not only craftsmanship, but the emotions, people, and experiences connected to it.
This is the essence of Gafla.
A house built on stories, and the people who carry them forward.
A Growing Journey
Our Boutiques
Much like the caravans that inspired our name, Gafla continues its journey through carefully chosen destinations and partnerships. From concept stores to cultural institutions and luxury boutiques, each location becomes another stop along our path connecting new audiences with the stories, traditions, and craftsmanship that shape our collections.
We invite you to visit our stockists and discover the world of Gafla firsthand.
Abu Dhabi , UAE
