Dahab Dubai22K or 24K Gold in Dubai: Which Should You Buy?
Walk into any gold shop in Dubai and you will see a price board with several karats, most often 22K and 24K. The difference is not just price, it is also what each one is for. This guide helps you choose based on your goal: wearing it or saving in gold.
How much gold is in each?
| Karat | Gold content | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | Bars, coins, tola bars |
| 22K | 91.6% | Traditional jewellery, bridal sets |
| 18K | 75% | Modern and gem-set jewellery |
24K: better for saving than wearing
24K is almost pure gold. It has a deep, bright yellow colour, but it is soft and scratches and bends easily, so it is not ideal for pieces you wear every day. Most people who buy 24K in Dubai buy bars or coins as savings, including the popular tola (about 11.66 grams).
- Making charges on small bars are low compared with jewellery.
- It is easy to sell later at a price close to the market rate.
- Investment gold of 99% purity or more gets special VAT treatment in the UAE (zero-rated under conditions), so ask the shop.
22K: the classic for Dubai jewellery
22K is the most common karat for jewellery in Dubai's gold souk, especially traditional Gulf and Indian sets. It still has a high gold content, but the added metals make it harder than 24K and better for wearing.
- A making charge is added to jewellery. It varies a lot by design, and it is the part you can negotiate.
- Jewellery carries 5% VAT. Read gold price, making charges and VAT in Dubai.
- Tourists may be able to claim part of the VAT back when leaving. Read the VAT refund for tourists.
Example
As an illustration, with gold at $4,000 an ounce, a gram of 24K is about AED 472.29, a gram of 22K about AED 432.94, and a 24K tola about AED 5,508.74, before making charges and VAT. For live rates, see today's gold rate in Dubai.
The short answer
- For saving: 24K as a bar, tola or coin, with low making charges.
- For everyday wear and gifts: 22K, or 18K for modern and gem-set designs.
- Either way, ask for an invoice showing weight, karat, gram rate, making charge and VAT. Read tips for buying gold in Dubai.