{"id":39605,"date":"2025-12-25T07:41:26","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T07:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/?p=39605"},"modified":"2025-12-25T08:02:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T08:02:29","slug":"soaring-gold-rates-lead-uae-families-to-opt-for-smaller-lighter-jewellery-for-weddings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/25\/soaring-gold-rates-lead-uae-families-to-opt-for-smaller-lighter-jewellery-for-weddings\/","title":{"rendered":"Soaring gold rates lead UAE families to opt for smaller, lighter jewellery for weddings"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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As Maryam Alshamsi prepared for her son\u2019s wedding, the surge in gold prices led her family to reconsider their jewellery purchases. \u201cWe are still investing in gold, but we are being much more selective and mindful than before,\u201d she explained.<\/p>

Rather than buying numerous heavy pieces, the family opted to reduce the total weight of the wedding jewellery.<\/p>

\u201cWe chose to concentrate on a few meaningful and practical items,\u201d Alshamsi added, noting that lighter designs can still be stylish while keeping expenses manageable. She also highlighted the growing trend of incorporating heirloom jewellery. \u201cReusing family pieces helps cut costs and adds sentimental value. Gold remains a wedding essential\u2014even in smaller amounts, it is an important tradition.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Alshamsi\u2019s experience reflects a broader shift unfolding across the UAE as\u00a0gold prices continue to trade near record highs<\/a>. Families are adjusting wedding jewellery purchases by opting for lighter designs, lower caratage and more selective buying, while keeping gold firmly embedded in wedding traditions.<\/p>

Market analysts say the rally in gold prices is being driven by global geopolitical uncertainty and a structural shift in institutional demand. Monal Thakkar, managing director at Ashoka Global FZCO, said the surge reflects more than short-term volatility.<\/p>

\u201cWhat we are witnessing is not a typical price cycle,\u201d Thakkar told\u00a0Khaleej Time<\/em>s. \u201cCentral banks are making a long-term strategic shift toward gold, effectively locking away supply and reshaping the market for years to come.\u201d<\/p>

According to Thakkar, this sustained institutional buying has created a strong price floor, even as retail buyers become more cautious. \u201cRetail demand may slow during periods of record prices, but gold\u2019s role as a strategic asset has strengthened,\u201d he said. \u201cThis has created stability in prices, even when consumer behaviour adjusts.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Changing wedding jewellery trends in the UAE<\/strong><\/p>

In the UAE, especially Dubai, famously called the \u2018City of Gold,\u2019 rising gold prices have visibly influenced consumer behaviour. Traditionally, weddings relied heavily on high-carat gold, with 22K and 21K pieces dominating bridal sets.<\/p>

\u201cIn the UAE, the cultural appetite for gold remains strong, but buyers are becoming more discerning,\u201d said Thakkar. \u201cWe see a noticeable shift towards 18K and even 14K jewellery, with lighter and minimalist designs that balance heritage with cost-effectiveness.\u201d<\/p>

Jewellers are responding by emphasising artistry and craftsmanship over sheer weight. \u201cThis isn\u2019t a drop in demand,\u201d Thakkar added. \u201cIt reflects an evolution shaped by price awareness and value considerations.\u201d<\/p>

Global factors supporting gold prices<\/strong><\/p>

Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, echoed this sentiment, noting that gold remains robust due to institutional buying, geopolitical uncertainties, and expectations of lower interest rates.<\/p>

\u201cGold\u2019s current strength is supported by a combination of institutional demand, geopolitical tension, and potential rate cuts,\u201d Valecha told Khaleej Times. \u201cEven with short-term fluctuations, the overall rally has a strong structural foundation.\u201d<\/p>

For weddings, he explained, rising prices don\u2019t reduce demand\u2014they alter buying behaviour. \u201cHigh prices reshape purchasing choices. Families maintain tradition but adjust the quantity and timing of jewellery acquisition,\u201d he said. Many opt for fewer heavy pieces, favour lighter designs, or repurpose existing jewellery. \u201cGold continues to be a store of value rather than a speculative instrument,\u201d Valecha noted, stressing stability over temporary price swings.<\/p>

Cultural significance remains strong<\/strong><\/p>

Despite price increases, gold remains a staple of weddings in the UAE, particularly during peak shopping periods like the Dubai Shopping Festival. While overall volume may decrease slightly, cultural importance sustains steady demand.<\/p>

\u201cThe quantity may vary, but gold\u2019s central role in weddings persists,\u201d Valecha concluded, underlining the enduring connection between tradition and jewellery in the UAE.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rising gold prices in the UAE are prompting families to purchase less elaborate wedding jewellery, choosing smaller and lighter pieces to manage costs while still maintaining traditional gifting and ceremonial customs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[32],"post_template":[],"top_category":[],"class_list":["post-39605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","tag-dubai-business","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39605"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39605\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39617,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39605\/revisions\/39617"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39605"},{"taxonomy":"post_template","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_template?post=39605"},{"taxonomy":"top_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/top_category?post=39605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}