Everything You Need To Know About Buying Gold in Dubai

While it’s easy to assume that Dubai’s gold industry is centuries-old, this isn’t the case. Its gold market only dates back around 100 years, when merchants began to deal in the precious metal, alongside pearls and spices, beside Dubai Creek. By the 1900s, the Gold Souk—initially just a few makeshift stalls—had opened. Then came the UAE’s 1970s oil boom, sparking a surge in Dubai’s prosperity and, along with it, an increase in visitors. Consequently, the city’s gold business flourished.

Today, the UAE is the world’s sixth-largest gold exporter. An estimated 20-40 percent of annual global gold stocks pass through Dubai, meaning the city offers a vast spectrum of gold jewelry appealing to a huge range of local and international buyers.

Dubai is also a safe place to buy. Prices compare favorably with other destinations, with only a 5 percent value-added tax (VAT) applied to purchases. Strict regulations on purity and pricing also protect consumers. The authorities conduct regular inspections of items sold by jewelers, and the DGJG, with its 600-plus members from across the jewelry trade, works with Dubai’s Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Department to ensure pricing uniformity. And when you buy gold jewelry here, the vendor provides you with a certificate authenticating its gold content and weight.

While you don’t need to be an expert, it pays to do your homework before buying. Prices here are based on weight per gram, and as Dubai follows international gold prices, they fluctuate daily. Gold shops observe the rates, which account for 80-90 percent of the final cost, so prices are consistent.

You can view the day’s market rate online, as the DGJG has a useful rate checker. Plus, most gold shops display real-time prices. Savvy shoppers often monitor price trends to predict any upcoming dips, but just knowing the day’s value will strengthen your hand.

An item’s final price is made up by the crafting or making charge. “The price of crafting varies depending on the design, quality, and finish. You can haggle only over this crafting. The gold price itself is non-negotiable,” said Mamtha Maria.

You also need to check the karat (k) value, which measures the gold’s purity. 24k denotes 100 percent pure gold, while 22k and 18k represent 91.5 percent and 75 percent gold, respectively. 24k is often too soft for jewelry, so 22k is used in items like bangles and rings, and the harder 18k is for diamond rings and gem-encrusted pieces.

As Dubai’s gold prices are fixed to weight (vendors will weigh your items), the only headroom for haggling is on the making price. While this limits your potential or a price reduction, it’s worth giving bartering a go.

Many shoppers aim for 25 percent off the quoted price, but you may need to walk away as a bargaining tool. Bear in mind that intricate pieces have a higher making charge and that negotiating might be easier in smaller shops or when you’re buying several items.

It also pays to scout different types of vendors. “Some jewelers sell jewelry at a piece rate, regardless of the gold being used in it,” comments Mamtha Maria. “This is common with diamond jewelers and small gold items.”

Many gold shops are located in the city’s glossy malls, such as Dubai Mall, and some jewelry chains even have branches in supermarkets. Another option is the Dubai Gold and Diamond Park, an indoor mall exclusively filled with gold, diamond, and gem boutiques.

However, the Gold Souk is the big attraction when it comes to buying gold. It’s a permanent fixture on most Dubai city tours and the first stop for visiting and local gold buyers.

“The best place to buy is Dubai Gold Souk and its new Gold Souk Extension, which are side-by-side,” explains Mamtha Maria. “You’ll find over 400 gold and jewelry outlets, which give you numerous choices, variety, and the best-quality jewelry.”

The original Gold Souk tends to sell classic, heritage-based Arabian and Indian jewelry, while the new extension leans toward contemporary styles. You could easily spend a day at either market browsing for extravagant, old-school bridal and vintage necklaces and bracelets, modern, trending rings and earrings, and lighter, thinner pieces for everyday wear. Don’t be tempted to settle on the first shops you see, either. The smaller outlets, hidden deeper in each souk, see less foot traffic and may be more flexible on price.

It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific type of gold jewelry that satisfies all current buyers. “The tastes and preferences of people from all over the world vary considerably,” says Mamtha Maria. “Hence, it’s not possible to identify any particular design which outshines the others. However, we can see that lighter weight jewelry is popular with younger consumers.”

Another trend is the growing demand for unique pieces, a pattern reinforced by jewelry chains regularly introducing new and seasonal collections. “Jewelry lovers are insisting on exclusivity in design like never before, and in recent years we have seen a dramatic increase in demand for branded jewelry,” Mamtha Maria comments.

With an estimated 10 million gold designs on offer at any given time in the Gold Souk alone, it’s hard to argue that there’s any better place than Dubai to find that perfect, unique piece of gold.