{"id":36828,"date":"2026-06-11T16:24:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T10:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/?p=36828"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:24:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T10:54:49","slug":"house-janolos-bold-artful-expressions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/house-janolos-bold-artful-expressions\/","title":{"rendered":"House Janolo\u2019s Bold & Artful Expressions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Born out of instinct, curiosity, and a desire to create jewellery that feels both playful and precious, House Janolo is redefining contemporary fine jewellery through bold storytelling and emotional design. Founded by sisters Dujanah and Oloof Jarrar, the brand blends the grounding influence of Abu Dhabi with the energy of New York, where the duo studied at Parsons School of Design and Columbia University. In this conversation with <\/em>Solitaire International, the founders speak about creating pieces that balance artistic expression with craftsmanship.<\/em><\/p>\n

Could you tell us about your upbringing and early influences? Are you first-generation jewellers? <\/strong><\/p>\n

We are first-generation jewellery designers \u2013 no inherited workshop, no one guiding us through the industry from the inside. We entered it almost blindfolded, relying only on instinct and having a clear idea about what we wanted to create. We grew up in a household that valued creativity, but not with the idea of turning it into a profession. Largely, it was about paying attention to objects, spaces, colour, and the way things make you feel.<\/p>\n

When we entered jewellery business, we quickly understood how traditional the industry is: mostly male-dominated, generational family businesses, and established ways of doing things.<\/p>\n

Although that was intimidating, we realised that not coming from that world gave us freedom not many have. There was no pressure of doing things the \u201ccorrect\u201d way. As rank outsiders, we built the brand from scratch \u2026 it was created out of curiosity, instinct, and a desire to make fine jewellery feel alive.<\/p>\n

Before launching your jewellery label, what were your respective professions? <\/strong><\/p>\n

We grew up in Abu Dhabi and later, spent six years in New York, where we studied at Parsons School of Design and then Columbia University.<\/p>\n

Abu Dhabi gave us space, taught us to slow down, observe, and think about what matters. New York instilled in us a sense of urgency. The city makes you ambitious, competitive, and that, in turn, helps you to constantly \u00a0reinvent.<\/p>\n

House Janolo inculcates the clarity and grounding of Abu Dhabi, and the pace and boldness of New York.<\/p>\n

Our studies also shaped the way we build the brand. Design strategy taught us to think beyond the surface \u2013 to understand the \u201cwhy\u201d before the \u201cwhat.\u201d Negotiation taught us how to understand people, communication, and decision-making. A jewellery house is not only about design; it is about craftsmen, suppliers, clients, retailers, trust, timing, and constant problem-solving.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a9 House Janolo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is your brand built on a stream of arts? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes. Before launching, we were also exploring branding, consulting, interiors. Our brand was never built only from jewellery references. It was inspired by art, film, design history, human behaviour, and the belief that objects can carry emotion when they are made with intention.<\/p>\n

As sisters and co-founders, how do you divide responsibilities within the business? <\/strong><\/p>\n

I (Dujanah) lead much of the design direction \u2013 the research, inspiration, storytelling of the collections, colour schemes, and the visual world around the pieces.<\/p>\n

Oloof is focused on client relations, marketing, logistics, partnerships, and the commercial side of the business.<\/p>\n

That division works because our strengths are different.<\/p>\n

But nothing important moves forward without both of us approving it. Even if one person has an idea, it never stays as one person\u2019s idea. It goes through conversation, disagreement, adjustment, and refinement until it belongs to both of us, so every decision must feel whole before it leaves the room.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a9 House Janolo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What inspired the two of you to start the brand together? Was there a particular gap in the market or personal passion that encouraged you to take the leap?<\/strong><\/p>\n

House Janolo existed as an idea long before it became a jewellery brand. We had the name for years. For us, jewellery was not the obvious answer, but eventually, it became the most honest one.<\/p>\n

We came to jewellery first as customers. There were many brands we admired, but struggled to find pieces that had the scale, colour, eccentricity, and presence we personally wanted to wear.<\/p>\n

We wanted fine jewellery that was playful and precious, but not disposable. A piece that could be worn every day and still feel extraordinary. So the gap was not theoretical. It was personal. We were designing for ourselves first.<\/p>\n

We always knew we wanted to build something together, but it took time for us to figure out what form it would take. House Janolo became the place where all our interests finally made sense together.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a9 House Janolo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tell us more about the collections. How long do they take to come to fruition?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Each collection has a different storyline. Sometimes it begins with a group of stones; sometimes with a colour combination, a pattern, a film still, a room, a movement, or a detail we keep returning to.<\/p>\n

Once that world becomes clear, the process gets more disciplined \u2013 sketches, prototypes, stone sourcing, proportions, engineering, enamel tests, revisions, and production.<\/p>\n

The Wild Beginnings collection inspiration came from nature \u2013 especially wild beings and the way their exteriors function \u2013 skin, pattern, colour, texture, and form are not random; these characteristics protect, attract, distract and help them adapt. We translated that message into the jewellery.<\/p>\n

House Signatures was represented our brand \u2013 strong design, confident simplicity, natural gemstones, bold proportions, and pieces that can become part of one\u2019s daily rhythm.<\/p>\n

A collection can take months, but it is rarely linear. Some pieces come together very quickly; others need to be remade several times before they feel right. We have learned that fine jewellery does not respond well to rushing. The most important part of the process is knowing when not to release something yet.<\/p>\n

Your main inspirations when designing lines\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are very influenced the world around us. Sometimes the reference is very specific, other times it is more abstract. We are interested in references that already have a world around them. A lamp can inspire a mechanism. A carpet can inspire movement. An animal\u2019s skin can inspire enamel. A historical period can inspire a feeling.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a9 House Janolo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What\u2019s the design philosophy of your brand? <\/strong><\/p>\n

House Janolo is about individuality. The core DNA of the brand lives between contrast: heritage and invention, play and precision, boldness and wearability. We are inspired by historical techniques and creative eras, but we are not trying to recreate the past.<\/p>\n

Emotion is central to the brand because jewellery is intimate. It sits on the body; it becomes part of one\u2019s routine, memory, and identity. We want the pieces to make people feel more like themselves, not like they are performing someone else\u2019s idea of luxury. That can mean confidence. It can mean joy. It can mean strength, glamour, nostalgia, or curiosity.<\/p>\n

There is also a deeper shift happening in jewellery. Historically, jewellery has represented status, inheritance, investment, and belonging. Those meanings still matter, but today, women wear jewellery as a form of authorship. They are self-purchasers and build collections that reflect their lives. House Janolo is part of that conversation. It is about jewellery as expression, but with the seriousness of craft behind it.<\/p>\n

Since both of you bring different perspectives to the table, how do those differences shape the decision-making within the brand?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Disagreement is a big part of our process. We question and challenge each other constantly before an idea is finalised. Sometimes one of us is more instinctive, the other more analytical.<\/p>\n

Because we are sisters, there is a natural honesty between\u00a0 us; but it is easy to become too comfortable, so we try to bring the same seriousness and respect to the work that we would expect from anyone else. The brand benefits from that contrast. If an idea can survive both of us, it is usually stronger.<\/p>\n

We have also learned through failures, delays, and wrong turns. Jewellery teaches patience quickly. You can have a clear vision, but you cannot become too attached to the exact route. You have to stay adaptable without losing the core.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a9 House Janolo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What do you believe makes your creations stand apart?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aesthetically, House Janolo is built on different worlds coming together: old and new, bold and wearable, precise and instinctive. Our pieces can stand strongly on their own, but they are also designed to slip into someone\u2019s existing collection.<\/p>\n

We are playful in colour, scale, pattern, and storytelling, but serious about material, construction, and craft. We are not interested in jewellery that is only visually exciting. It must hold up emotionally, technically, and materially. The human hand is central to the brand. Our craftsmen are not just executing designs; they are part of the identity of the house.<\/p>\n

We also love that no two pieces are exactly the same. In a world that\u2019s becoming more automated, that human irregularity creates a different connection. It reminds you that something was made by someone, for someone.<\/p>\n

We also make it clear that we are not trying to appeal to everyone. If we tried to make jewellery for everyone, we would lose the point of view that makes the brand what it is. Our clients connect to the pieces because they understand the world behind them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Born out of instinct, curiosity, and a desire to create jewellery that feels both playful and precious, House Janolo is redefining contemporary fine jewellery through bold storytelling and emotional design. Founded by sisters Dujanah and Oloof Jarrar, the brand blends the grounding influence of Abu Dhabi with the energy of New York, where the duo…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":36829,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[99,104],"tags":[],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-36828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design","category-features"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHouse Janolo\u2019s Bold & Artful Expressions - Solitaire magazine is a International jewellery magazine - India\u2019s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"bingbot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/house-janolos-bold-artful-expressions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"House Janolo\u2019s Bold & Artful Expressions - Solitaire magazine is a International jewellery magazine - India\u2019s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Born out of instinct, curiosity, and a desire to create jewellery that feels both playful and precious, House Janolo is redefining contemporary fine jewellery through bold storytelling and emotional design. Founded by sisters Dujanah and Oloof Jarrar, the brand blends the grounding influence of Abu Dhabi with the energy of New York, where the duo…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/house-janolos-bold-artful-expressions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Solitaire magazine is a International jewellery magazine - India\u2019s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-11T10:54:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/House-Janolo.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/\",\"name\":\"Solitaire magazine is a International jewellery magazine - India\\u2019s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/?s={search_term_string}\",\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/house-janolos-bold-artful-expressions\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/House-Janolo.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":600},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/house-janolos-bold-artful-expressions\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/house-janolos-bold-artful-expressions\/\",\"name\":\"House Janolo\\u2019s Bold & Artful Expressions - Solitaire magazine is a International jewellery magazine - India\\u2019s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/house-janolos-bold-artful-expressions\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-11T10:54:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-11T10:54:49+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/#\/schema\/person\/9fb7ee18bb0ee6495ba78f48f508bcc5\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/house-janolos-bold-artful-expressions\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"Person\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/#\/schema\/person\/9fb7ee18bb0ee6495ba78f48f508bcc5\",\"name\":\"Shanoo Bijlani\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/30367b4f39ee75e29e8eb53937913df409900114c6d6f7f3fc8c8134a284701c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Shanoo Bijlani\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36828"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36835,"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36828\/revisions\/36835"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36828"},{"taxonomy":"thb-sponsors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/thb-sponsors?post=36828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}