Erbil jeweler carries on family tradition

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Luqman Hakim is a jeweler in Erbil city’s famous Qaysari bazaar. Along with jewels, he also crafts prayer beads, necklaces, and bracelets from precious stones and woods.


He chose to continue his family’s tradition with the craft, following the footsteps of his grandfather.

The materials Hakim works with include precious stones, coral, elephant tusks, wild goat, and deer horns.


Many of the stones he uses cannot be found in the country, and most of his customers are from central and southern Iraq.

“We have been doing this work for nearly 40 years. Our father and grandfathers have done this as well. Before, we were jewelers, and now, along with the jewelry business, we also sell these stones (tasbih),” he told Rudaw earlier this week.

“Many items in this store are 100 to 150 years old, like this tasbih, which belonged to my mother’s grandfather and dates back to the Ottoman era,” he added.