Our Story
“Business should be a force for good.”
Mazahri is a purpose driven conscious fine jewelry company founded on the principle that business can and should be a force for good in the world. At Mazahri we believe that jewelry should not only be used to adorn, empower and celebrate the wearer but also the people involved in each step of its creation and the planet as a whole. We seek to share the beauty and magic of Afghan culture through the unique stories each of our pieces tell.
Bamiyan, Afghanistan, UNESCO World Heritage Site and location of Buddahs of Bamiyan which were destroyed in March of 2001 by the Taliban.
Zulaikha with her grandmother, Mazari Majid.
Mazahri was born out of founder Zulaikha Aziz’s personal story as a refugee from Afghanistan and her work as a human rights attorney. Zulaikha’s love of jewelry and colored gemstones is grounded in her heritage and ancestry. Fleeing war, her family was forced to leave everything behind, save for some items they could carry including ancestral jewelry her grandmother rescued. These deeply meaningful pieces helped her connect to her ancestors and her heritage, gaining strength from their stories and in turn, forging her own unique path. The pieces she creates through Mazahri are intended to inspire that same strength and connection. They are modern day heirlooms imbued with meaning and heart made with love and the intention to tell diverse stories, celebrate nature and humanity, and be passed down and cherished for generations to come.
Zan Dangle Earrings on hand-embroidered scarf from Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
Her work on issues related to women's rights, racial and religious discrimination, abuses related to conflict and access to justice in Afghanistan and diverse communities around the world inspired her to merge her passion for human rights and women's empowerment with her love of ancient Afghan jewelry in creating Mazahri, named in honor of her grandmother. In addition to Mazahri, Zulaikha continues her legal advocacy, research and scholarship.
Zulaikha at the United Nations Compound in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Mazahri is incorporated as a benefit corporation in California and follows a human rights-based approach using only ethically and sustainably sourced materials and processes and ensures the empowerment of women throughout its work from design to delivery. As a business founded by a woman of color, Mazahri is committed to measurable diversity, equity and inclusivity in both its operations as well as the greater jewelry industry. Mazahri believes in transparency and accountability and is committed to effectively documenting and sharing the real impact of all its actions.