Craftsmanship
Made by hand, slowly.
Every Durra piece passes through about ten pairs of hands in our workshop before it leaves in its box.
We make fewer pieces than we could. A ring takes from two days to three weeks at the bench, and nothing is finished until the setter, the polisher and the founder have each looked at it under the loupe.
Five steps, one bench
01
Drawing
Every piece starts as a gouache drawing at full size, painted until the proportions feel right on the body.
02
Stones
We choose stones loose, one by one, under daylight lamps, and keep only those that match the drawing.
03
Goldwork
The metal is cast or forged, then filed, chased and assembled by hand at the bench.
04
Setting
Setters raise tiny beads of gold to hold each stone, working under a microscope.
05
Finishing
Polishing, a final check under the loupe, and a hallmark struck in Dubai.
Where the stones come from
Diamonds
Natural diamonds from Botswana and Canada, bought through two dealers we have known for fifteen years. Stones from 0.30 ct carry a GIA certificate.
Pearls
South Sea pearls from one farm in Western Australia, Akoya from two farms in Japan. We visit each one.
Gold
18 karat gold, refined from recycled metal in the UAE and hallmarked in Dubai.
2011
Founded on Al Wasl Road
14
Goldsmiths and setters in the workshop
1 of 30
The largest series we make
Lifetime
Care and polishing for every piece
Bespoke
Commission a piece
Start with a conversation at the salon. We draw, you decide, and we make it.