Anyone who has taken a stroll through Muscat’s winding Mutrah Souq — one of the oldest in the Arab world — will have felt the palpable sense of history that emanates from its walls. Whispering tales of trade and exchange, it symbolises Oman’s uniquely international vision. While multiculturalism may be a hot topic of conversation the world over nowadays, in Oman it’s nothing new — and has been a way of life for centuries. As goods and customs from India, China, Europe and throughout the Middle Eastern region all passed through this key port, each left a sprinkling of culture, making Oman the open, welcoming and cosmopolitan society that it is today. Taking the very best of their country and positively running with it, Omani sister team Fatma and Maryam Al Barram are rebooting this idea of cultural dexterity and ancestral heritage with a bold taste for contemporary design, having launched their jewellery brand Muria late last year. Sacred geometry, vivid gemstones and sculptural gold silhouettes combine with echoes of traditional symbols and techniques, making each piece a modern heirloom to be worn with love. It’s jewellery that feels as powerful as it looks: rooted in meaning, yet unapologetically modern. Handcrafted, high-impact and deeply personal, Muria is positioning Omani craftsmanship on the international style map. And in a world of fleeting trends, these are pieces that offer a sense of permanence, both physical and symbolic. Catching up with the Al Barram sisters, GMT GCC found out more about Muria’s rise to success, and what the brand has in store for curious newcomers.
GMT GCC: Fatma and Maryam — what inspired you both to start Muria, and why is now the time for your brand?
Al Barram sisters: Muria was born out of a shared longing to preserve beauty — not just the physical kind, but emotional beauty. We’ve always felt deeply connected to the jewellery passed down through generations in our family: pieces with soul, pieces that carried stories. Starting Muria felt like a natural way to really honour that emotional connection while reimagining it for women today. The world is longing for meaning and intention again, and now feels like the right moment to offer something quiet, refined and rich in heritage.
How did your Omani heritage and upbringing influence the creation of Muria?
Our Omani heritage is at the heart of everything we do. It shaped our sensitivity to detail, our love for natural materials and our deep appreciation for symbolism. Growing up, we were surrounded by oral storytelling, ancient architecture, spices, textures… And that has all become part of Muria’s visual language. We don’t just draw from aesthetics, we draw from feeling: what it means to belong to a place, to a history, to a womanhood that spans generations.
How do you balance traditional motifs with contemporary aesthetics in your designs?
Our aim is never to replicate tradition, it’s to distill its essence. We look at traditional motifs and consider the emotion they carry, the message behind their geometry. Then we translate that into refined, sculptural pieces that feel timeless but grounded in heritage. The balance comes from respect, honouring the past while designing for the woman of today.
Muria draws on the legacy of the Spice Route — what does that represent to you?
The Spice Route is more than just a historical reference, it’s a metaphor for movement, exchange and interconnectedness. It reminds us that our culture has always been a blend of influences, a meeting point of worlds. Through Muria, we celebrate a layered identity made up of African and Indian, coastal, feminine and modern influences. Every collection is like a sensory journey — fragrant with memory, grounded in place, but open to the world.
Each collection feels like a chapter in a larger story. How do you begin the design process for a new collection?
It always begins with a feeling. Sometimes it’s a memory, a symbol or even a fragment of poetry. We spend time building moodboards, collecting visual references and talking through the emotional story we want to tell. Then the shapes start to form — always clean and intentional, always rooted in something deeper than just style. We see each collection as a chapter in Muria’s evolving narrative.
Can you tell us more about the cultural and symbolic elements behind the Sacred Geometry, Al Jawhara and Qamareya collections?
Sacred Geometry is inspired by the spiritual and architectural patterns found in Islamic art — perfect symmetry, repeated lines and the sacredness of structure. It’s about finding beauty in order and balance. Al Jawhara means ‘the jewel’ in Arabic, and it celebrates the bond between mother and daughter. It’s full of heirloom-inspired silhouettes and protective amulets, jewels that feel like they’ve lived a life before you. Qamareya draws from the moonlit windows of Yemen and Oman — those stone lattice details that filter light in a soft, mystical way. This collection plays with shadow, openings, and contrast.
What role does craftsmanship play in your production process? Are your pieces handcrafted locally?
Craftsmanship is the soul of Muria. Every piece is handcrafted, mostly here in the region, in close collaboration with artisans who understand the kind of quiet luxury we believe in. We work slowly and intentionally, choosing natural stones and ethical gold, always prioritising quality over quantity. We want every piece to feel as personal as it is precious.
What’s it like building a brand as sisters? How do you complement each other creatively and professionally?
It’s a gift. There’s a shared language between us, a kind of unspoken understanding. We each bring different strengths — one of us is more visual and emotionally led, the other more structured and strategic — but what unites us is the vision and the values. We keep each other grounded and inspired. And because we’re family, there’s trust and heart at the centre of every decision.
What does the future hold for Muria? Are there new collections, collaborations or international plans on the horizon?
Absolutely. This summer we’re preparing for a beautiful new phase — refined collections, more intentional collaborations and meaningful events to bring the brand to life offline. We’re also looking to slowly expand our presence beyond the GCC, sharing Muria’s story with a wider audience. But growth for us will always be rooted in authenticity and intention — we want to remain close to the people who connect with our pieces.
