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THE last silversmith in Bahrain, Abdul Razak Al Roomi, has urged jewellery lovers to give his precious metal a chance as the demand for white gold continues to grow.
Mr Al Roomi, a 78-year-old Iraqi, says he has come to terms with the fact that shaping silver has become a dying art.
He said: "We have to accept that things change. People find more value in white gold than silver. They don't realise that silver has more of an artistic value as you can shape it and turn it into something beautiful.
"Although white gold is harder and more difficult to shape, and many stores still sell silver items in the Gold Souq, white gold appears to be winning the hearts of the public."
When Mr Al Roomi was apprenticed to his father at the age of eight there were more than 20 silversmiths plying their trade in Bahrain. Now, his little shop in Tijar road - close by the bright new Bab Al Bahrain covered souq - is the only place where you will find locally hand-crafted silver dhows, coffee pots, belts, rings and other exclusive jewellery items.
He said: "There was a time when silver was everywhere in Bahrain and there were so many silversmiths - but not any more. I am the only one left now. My workshop is in Riffa where I live.
"Nowadays most of the silver is brought in from abroad as designer brands, but the handmade items you see in my store are a rarity.
"Most locals within this region prefer gold to silver but I find that expats love buying silver, especially if it's handmade. I used to have so many foreigners come to my store to buy souvenirs and anything that is authentically Bahraini.
"A lot of the Americans and Britons who shop here would ask me why not move abroad where there is more of a demand for silver.
"In fact, I have even had offers from a few people to go and work with them in their countries. But, Bahrain is my home and my life is here. I had some hard days and some great days but either way I had them here in Bahrain where I belong."
Mr Al Roomi's grandson Baraa Abdulla attempted to learn the trade at a young age to carry on his grandfather's legacy.
Mr Abdulla said: "I started following him around at the age of six to learn the trade but he wouldn't teach me. He said it was a difficult trade to get into and he would love to see me become a doctor or an engineer."
Baraa Abdulla said: "I know that if I had pursued it I could have taken it further but I understand he simply wanted me to advance in life. Now the business will die with him and I wish it didn't."
"I would have loved to pass the business onto my children but I have four daughters and Arab daughters don't become silversmiths. I also have a son but he is a doctor," Mr Al Roomi said.
"They have their lives and I am proud of all of my children. Don't be sad for me. I love my shop and will continue to go there every day until I can't anymore. Until then, my silver will live on."
Simple pieces like rings are usually made in Mr Al Roomi's shop but more complicated items such as decorated coffee pots, silver-sail dhows and dagger-shaped cufflinks are made in his workshop as they require more time and concentration.
He said: "I don't really have many visitors any more but that doesn't mean I don't work on new pieces. My eyes may not be as sharp as they used to be and my hands may not be as quick but I still find joy when I hold the silver between my hands and create.
Mr Al Roomi's cozy little shop is open from Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 9am to noon.
