Alhaja
Where Meaning Meets Craftsmanship
Step into the world of Alhaja, the Spanish jewelry brand founded by María and Irene. Born from a shared vision to create pieces that are slow, beautiful, and thoughtful, Alhaja—meaning “precious jewel”—is much more than adornment; it's a commitment to tradition and meaning.
In this interview, the founders discuss how the Mediterranean and rich cultural traditions inspire their signature pieces, which they call “modern amulets.” They delve into their balanced partnership, their dedication to ethical, local production in Spain, and their impressive global expansion.
Discover how María and Irene are forging a universe of creation that blends ancient symbolism with a contemporary aesthetic, ensuring every piece is not just an accessory, but an heirloom carrying a story.
Hello María and Irene, how are you? Can you tell us a bit about yourselves—who you are, where you’re based, and what you do?
María: Hi! We’re great, thank you. I’m María, Creative Director of Alhaja. I’m from Seville and have always felt a strong connection to art, objects, and the stories behind them. I studied design and spent several years working in accessories at major fashion houses before starting this journey.
Irene: And I’m Irene, originally from Zaragoza, with a background in fashion buying. María and I met while working at a big fashion company—she in design, me in purchasing—and we immediately clicked. We’ve always shared the same vision, both professionally and personally. After years working together and even running a design studio, in 2019 we decided to launch Alhaja: a brand that reflects our values—slow, beautiful, thoughtful, and local.
The name “Alhaja” is a Spanish word for “precious jewel” and has Arabic roots. How does this name reflect your brand’s identity and the cultural traditions that inspire you?
María: We fell in love with the word Alhaja because it means “precious jewel” or “treasured object,” but in southern Spain, where I’m from, it also refers to something cherished, something looked after with care.
Irene: Exactly, it captures the essence of what we do. We want our pieces to feel personal and meaningful. Our work is very influenced by southern traditions, by the way beauty is celebrated in everyday life through music, architecture, and the deep appreciation for what’s made with intention. Alhaja felt like the perfect word to hold all of that.
What feeds your creativity on a daily basis? Are there any specific artists, places, artistic movements, or personal moments that have particularly influenced your work?
María: We’re both deeply inspired by the Mediterranean, by nature, traditional crafts, and ancient cultures. But also by small things, personal memories, textures, colors, even phrases or old photographs.
Irene: And there are definitely artists and artistic movements that have left a mark. Folklore, surrealism, ancient iconography… And of course, the jewelry of our grandmothers, the kind that holds stories and emotions. We love to blend the spiritual with the aesthetic, the old with the new.
Alhaja jewelry is described as “modern amulets.” Can you explain what this means to you and how you incorporate symbols and stories into your designs?
María: That idea of the amulet is central to our work. On a trip to Istanbul, I noticed how everyone wore something symbolic, a charm, a fish, an eye, for protection or good luck. I was fascinated by how jewelry could become a companion.
Irene: Our pieces often start from a memory… We want them to connect with the wearer on an emotional level, like small talismans that carry meaning.
As two founders, how do your distinct personalities and backgrounds, one from Seville and the other from Zaragoza, intertwine to create the brand’s unique aesthetic?
Irene: We’re different in personality, but deeply aligned in our vision. María brings a strong emotional and artistic depth, and I’m more focused on structure and execution. That balance works really well for us.
María: Our creative universe feels like a shared space, where everything flows naturally. The soul of Alhaja is deeply rooted in Seville, it’s where I’m from and where our aesthetic finds its starting point: full of symbolism, emotion, and a deep love for beauty made with meaning. But everything we create is the result of constant dialogue between the two of us. There’s no separation, just one vision built together.
What role do nature, history, and Mediterranean folklore play in inspiring your collections?
María: A huge one. We see jewelry not just as adornment, but as a link to something deeper, traditions, rituals, heritage. Many of our collections draw from ancient myths, Mediterranean history, or natural elements.
Irene: And we always try to reinterpret those references through a contemporary lens, so the result feels timeless.
To get to know you both better, what is your personal favorite piece of Alhaja jewelry, and why?
Irene: For me, the Luna Silver ring, seems simple but its rough shape elevates every look.
María: I love Fascinus, one of our latest amulets. It has something mystical about it and is full of layers and symbolism. It reflects our fascination with ancient history and the power of meaning, how a piece of jewelry can be both beautiful and protective at the same time.
Your brand is known for its commitment to sustainability and local production. Can you tell us more about how you support the Spanish economy and ensure ethical production?
Irene: Almost all our pieces are made in Spain. We work with local workshops, many of which have generations of experience in traditional jewelry-making. Their craftsmanship is incredible, and keeping that knowledge alive is really important to us. Also having them so close makes purchase system faster and we can visit them very often.
María: We use primarily with natural materials. Most of our pieces are made in certified silver 925 or plated in 3 microns of 18k gold. We also collaborate with factories that are members of the Responsible Jewelry Council, and we’re working towards full traceability of our materials.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a brand committed to sustainable consumption and production?
Irene: One of the biggest challenges is growing without compromising our values. Producing locally, at a slower pace, and with the highest quality standards means making tough decisions. We’ve chosen to grow organically, without big investors or shortcuts.
María: But we believe in building something with depth and authenticity, something that lasts. And that takes time, effort, and a lot of patience.
Alhaja has gained popularity, notably being worn by influential figures. How has this visibility impacted your brand, and how are you managing this growth?
María: It’s incredibly exciting and humbling. Seeing women like Queen Letizia wear Alhaja is a huge honor. But what touches us most is when someone tells us they wore our earrings on their wedding day, or gifted a piece to their mother.
Irene: We’ve grown a lot, above all from 2023. Today, 70% of our sales come from outside Spain. We’re very focused on growing in a way that feels right, without losing the care, the calm, and the essence that define us. At the same time, we’re intensifying our strategy in the markets where we’re already present, investing time and energy to better understand each audience, build deeper connections, and be more present, both online and offline.
What are your long-term goals for Alhaja? Do you plan to expand your product range or open new stores?
Irene: We’re continuing our international expansion and are already present in iconic retailers like Le Bon Marché in Paris, Simons in Canada, and Lane Crawford in China. We want to keep growing globally, but in a way that stays true to who we are.
María: We also want to explore beyond jewelry, Alhaja is a creative universe that connects with art, culture, history. Gold plated or Silver Jewelry is just the beginning. There’s so much more we want to tell. In the future, we want to explore new Jewelry categories and creative collaborations that allow us to tell stories in new ways.
What feeling do you want your customers to have when they wear an Alhaja piece?
María: That they’re wearing something meaningful. Something beautiful, of course, but also something with emotional value. We want each jewel to feel like part of a story, a connection to a universe that we see growing around us. Something crafted by skilled hands with great care somewhere in Spain, that will endure for years and can be kept as an heirloom.
Irene: We want our pieces to feel special, like something you choose with care, that stays with you over time. Not just an accessory, but something that holds meaning and becomes part of your life.
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