How Dubai Became a Global Jewellery Powerhouse

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Dubai Jewellery News: Historic Spark Ignites

Dubai’s dazzling ascent as a global jewellery nucleus didn’t happen overnight. Its story begins more than four decades ago when the city competed with Beirut and Kuwait for regional gold dominance. With the arrival of Dubai International Airport in the early 1980s, Dubai dramatically expanded its reach. Ease of air cargo, coupled with strict security and unmatched connectivity, transformed the emirate into a commerce magnet, positioning it at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Gulf.

Dubai has now become one of the major global jewellery hubs
Image Credit: DWTC

Strategic Fuel for Growth

Geography wasn’t the only ace up Dubai’s sleeve. In 2018, when the UAE introduced a 5 percent VAT, Dubai Customs and the Economic Department launched an ‘import for re-export’ category. Jewellery arriving in Dubai destined for re-export could bypass VAT and customs duties if shipped within 180 days. This shrewd policy, backed by credit facilities and nimble government cooperation, created a tax-efficient haven for traders—one seldom mirrored globally.

A Thriving Ecosystem

The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG), with around 600 members, acts as a critical liaison between traders and regulators, smoothing operations and reinforcing trust. Meanwhile, the emirate’s financial infrastructure—rich with global banks, compliance watchdogs, and auditors—powers high-volume, high-value deals with unmatched credibility. All these are contributing factors to Dubai’s rise as a global jewellery hub.

Tourist Tides Feed Jewellery Trade

Dubai’s tourism boom is a gravitational pull for jewellery lovers. Whether it’s the Gold Souk’s labyrinth of glitter or high-profile attractions drawing diverse visitors—British shoppers after signet rings, Indian families buying ceremonial sets, or Japanese collectors seeking platinum—Dubai plays host to it all. The city’s retail and trade appeal lies not just in its product offerings, but in the immersive experience it delivers.

Digital Pulse and Cutting-Edge Tech

Dubai’s digital infrastructure enables near-instant customs clearance—shipped to Hong Kong, Indonesia, or Australia in under 24 hours. The alignment to a Monday-Friday workweek also streamlines global trade. Meanwhile, innovative tools like blockchain, AI, and advanced manufacturing techniques enhance supply chain transparency, personalization, and speed. This Dubai Jewellery News report underscores how tech isn’t just a support system—it’s redefining how the emirate competes.

A lot of jewellery manufacturing has now shifted to Dubai
Image Credit: DWTC

Open Arms for All Traders

Unlike many markets, Dubai welcomes both big and small players. A micro-trader with $20,000 can navigate and buy single pieces priced as low as $100—access rarely provided elsewhere. That flexibility builds trust and cements Dubai’s reputation as an inclusive global hub.

Integrated Industry Power

From manufacturing to retail, wholesale, export and import, Dubai’s jewellery industry is a vertically integrated marvel. DGJG estimates that approximately 80–85 percent of pieces sold in Dubai are locally made, with around 80 percent destined for export—a testament to its production strength and global reach.

Market Trends in 2025

Globally, the jewellery market is expanding rapidly and is projected to maintain steady growth in the years ahead. In the Gulf region, including the UAE, growth rates are particularly strong as Dubai continues to attract buyers from across continents. Despite this, record-high gold prices in 2024 and 2025, climbing above 3,400 US dollars per ounce, have softened demand for traditional 22-karat jewellery. Consumers are now increasingly seeking lighter designs and alternative luxury items such as diamonds.

Lab-grown diamonds are also on the rise, with Dubai emerging as a key hub for imports from major production centers such as India. Their affordability, sustainability appeal, and growing acceptance among younger consumers are reshaping retail trends across the city.

Rising Stars and Strategic Moves

Major international players are investing heavily in Dubai’s jewellery scene. High-profile acquisitions and partnerships have strengthened the emirate’s role as a trade and retail anchor in the Middle East. With large corporations expanding their foothold, Dubai is proving to be not just a regional leader but a global powerhouse in the luxury jewellery industry.

Outlook Ahead

Dubai’s jewellery juggernaut is built on strategic policymaking, infrastructure, tourism, digitization, and inclusivity. Despite global volatility—rising gold costs, evolving preferences toward lab-grown stones, and shifting export flows—the emirate remains flexible, resilient, and forward-leaning. With exports thriving, government backing strong, and investments in diversified trends accelerating, Dubai is positioned to sparkle brighter than ever in the global gems and jewellery firmament.

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