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Yaadgari Founder and Designer, Ferishta, is a first-generation Afghan American whose work is deeply rooted in her enduring admiration for Afghan heritage. From a young age, her imagination was ignited by the distinct, faceted lapis pendants her parents gifted her —tiny treasures from Afghanistan imbued with meaning. Alongside these tokens came stories of a land steeped in natural beauty; rugged mountains veined with gemstones, untouched valleys alive with threads of history, and childhood memories shaped by resilience. These deep blue stones became windows to a world both distant and eternal, glimmering like fragments of a night sky speckled with ancient stars or the deep, everlasting flow of the Oxus River, each facet holding the essence of homeland and heritage. These lapis pendants instantly became Ferishta’s “yaadgari” or “keepsake”.
Despite the often narrow narratives presented about Afghanistan, Ferishta remained deeply connected to the depth and richness of her heritage, knowing there was so much more to be revealed. Later, still at a young age, she visited the “Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan” exhibition in New York City —an experience that further inspired her path into the world of gems and jewelry.
“I found myself drawn to conversations with distant relatives, friends, and fellow Afghans in our small community—gathering their stories and memories, while also immersing myself in, books and research about Afghanistan’s past.
Even today, I lose myself in pages of what I can find, imagining ancient peoples and cities that once flourished, their legacies carried through the winds of time. Yet, amidst the beauty of these stories, always lingered the shadow of war —the destruction and looting of ancient historical sites and precious artifacts, the continuing erasure of rich heritage. These contrasts stayed with me, intertwining with my visit to Kabul, the majority of my family’s roots, where I dreamed of places I wished to explore, and of the history that, though scarred, still echoed through its mountains and valleys.”
“That’s when my curiosity deepened and I began to explore the history of human adornment in relation to our heritage. The exhibition marked a pivotal moment in my journey. The exquisite, incredibly regal, jewelry artifacts from that ancient region were in a class of their own. Afghanistan, a land of immense historical and cultural significance, has long been a crossroads of civilizations. It was once served as a central hub connecting the Silk Roads, is the birthplace of renowned poets, and home to some of the world’s most precious gemstones. Yet, it is also a land rich with hidden stories, waiting to be uncovered. I knew there was more to discover, and I hope to bring enchantment of untold tales to life through my jewelry.”
Ferishta has worked in the industry for renowned jewelers, holds a background in International Business, continues her gemological studies, and is always in pursuit of forgotten stories, aiming to weave Afghanistan’s rich heritage into her creations.
