About Us

Zaytouna Jewelry was founded in Bethlehem in 2005 by a talented artist Nadira Al Araj. Nadira’s enthusiasm and passion for ancient crafts and art work especially custom-made jewelry lead her into learning this ancient art and craft of individual casting of olive leaves and molding them into unique pieces of sterling silver jewelry.

Nadira joined forces with Towfic Kattan, the last remaining traditional silversmith in Bethlehem in establishing Zaytouna Jewelry to preserve and spread this traditional art for future generation. Towfic operates from a small studio in the center of the old town and specializes in hand made traditional styles of jewelry. Towfic has passed his knowledge and expertise to his son Samer who has joined this joint venture.

Zaytouna Jewelry team create original designs by transforming handpicked olive leaves from the Holy Land into unique, one of a kind sterling silver pieces. Each handmade piece is a replica of an actual olive leaf from trees in the hills around Jerusalem that date back over 2,000 years. The highest quality recycled sterling silver is always used and this is produced by a family-run refinery in the Holy Land.