The Saudi Woman Making Her Mark in Diamonds

Saudi entrepreneur and jewelry executive Dana Al Alami is the founder and CEO of Dana Al Alami Jewelry, with a career spanning gold manufacturing, diamonds, precious stones and luxury jewelry.

Dana Al Alami did not begin her career in jewelry. She studied Computer Science at King Saud University and spent around four years working at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Labor. Her entry into the jewelry business came in 2006, after a personal search for a diamond gift led her to create one herself.

When Dana wanted to buy a diamond jewelry set for her brother's bride, she could not find a piece that matched her taste and budget. Instead of settling for what was available, she decided to design the piece herself. The response to that first creation encouraged her to take custom orders. What started with individual pieces eventually grew into a small workshop and then into a gold manufacturing business.

Dana gradually expanded beyond jewelry design into gold manufacturing, wholesale, precious stones and diamonds. Her business developed connections across Saudi Arabia and the international jewelry market, including Dubai and Antwerp, with participation in major industry markets in Geneva, Hong Kong, Basel and Tokyo.

Diamonds became a major part of her work. Dana has undertaken professional training with the Gemological Institute of America and HRD, gaining expertise in diamond grading and identification. Her company has also worked with internationally recognised certification systems for its diamond business.

One of the most notable moments in her career came through a Dubai jewelry auction in 2015. Dana Al Alami Auctions presented a collection of rare jewelry pieces, with reports putting the total sales at more than US$100 million. The figure refers to the reported auction sales and not to Dana's personal income.

Her work has also taken her into the wider development of the diamond industry. In 2019, she presented a 425-carat rough diamond known as the "Legacy of the Cullinan" at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. The stone was presented with an estimated value of approximately US$25 million.

More recently, Dana has been involved in the growing conversation around lab-grown diamonds. In 2023, Dana Al Alami Jewelry announced a reported US$120 million partnership with Indian lab-grown diamond manufacturer Green Lab, with the stated aim of developing the lab-grown diamond industry in Saudi Arabia.

Alongside her business activities, Dana has taken part in industry committees focused on precious metals and gemstones. Her recent professional activities also include leadership within the metal industries and products sector at the Jeddah Chamber.

Her journey has now extended into publishing. In 2025, she released سيدة الألماس (The Diamond Lady), a book drawing on her experience in the diamond industry and exploring diamonds, their characteristics and their commercial value.

From a computer science graduate to a jewelry entrepreneur, manufacturer and diamond executive, Dana Al Alami's career has been built by moving from one part of the industry to another. What began with one custom jewelry piece eventually became a business spanning gold, gemstones, diamonds and international markets.

Today, her name is closely connected with Saudi Arabia's evolving jewelry and diamond sector, as she continues to build a business around one of the world's most enduring luxury materials.

HerStory celebrates Dana Al Alami for building a lasting career in Saudi Arabia’s jewelry and diamond industry, transforming a personal passion into an international business and industry platform.