Ahmad Gad, a jeweler in Kuwait.
A vendor shows a gold necklace to a customer at the gold exhibition.
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Style or security? How culture shapes gold buying habits in Kuwait
Every community has its go-to gold, affected by tradition, resale value, aesthetics
KUWAIT: As Eid approaches, it’s easy to notice how different gold markets draw in people with different nationalities. According to local jewelers, one key factor drives these preferences: karat – the measure of gold’s purity mixed with other metals. The availability of certain karats across shops not only impacts price, but also influences the jewelry’s color, strength and the styles favored by each community.
“Each country tends to have its own distinct preference for gold karat,” said Ahmad Gad, a jeweler at Al-Mubarakiya Gold Souq, one of the most popular markets among diverse nationalities in Kuwait.
He broke down the three most common karats in Kuwait and who typically prefers each: “Indians usually go for the rich yellow of 22K gold. Arabs lean toward 21K for its shine. As for 18K, which has a softer glow, it’s often chosen by people who like European styles — Filipinos, for example.”
The Indian favorite
Indian buyers are especially drawn to 22K gold, valuing both its high purity and cultural significance. “For Indians, what matters most is purity. If it were practical, they’d choose 24K – but it’s too soft for jewelry,” said Ayoub, an Indian gold salesman who has worked in Kuwait for seven years.
Pure 24-karat gold, considered 100 percent gold, is typically reserved for bars and coins, as its softness makes it unsuitable for wearable, intricately designed jewelry. To increase durability, gold is alloyed with other metals, resulting in lower karats: 22K gold contains 91.7 percent pure gold, and is ideal for the ornate, heavily detailed pieces typical in Indian culture.
“Our classic Indian pieces can only be made with 22K,” said Naresh Kumar, a jeweler at Souq Al Wataniya in Kuwait City, which mainly serves Indian and Bengali customers. “It’s also the standard karat in India, so it’s easier to resell there.” Gad added, “Every community prefers gold that can be resold easily in their home country.”
Smart investment
Despite its cultural significance, 22K gold is less commonly stocked in Kuwait compared to 21K. You’ll find 21K gold widely available in popular markets like Al-Mubarakiya, Hawally, Salmiya and Farwaniya. According to jewelers, 21K is the most sought-after karat among Arabs. With 87.5% purity, it offers a sweet spot between visual beauty and long-term value. “21K is ideal for those who want a beautiful ornament that also holds its value,” said Gad. “It has a higher resale price compared to lower karats, especially if it’s locally made Kuwaiti gold, free of decorative cloves.”
Kuwait is known for its high-quality 21K gold, thanks in part to strong trade ties with the UAE, home to some of the Gulf’s most skilled goldsmiths. This partnership enables Kuwait to import a wide variety of 21K designs in large quantities.
Elegant, but less valuable
By contrast, 18K gold is found in smaller quantities across Kuwait, mostly in the Salmiya Gold Souq, which caters largely to Filipino buyers. While 18K contains 75 percent pure gold and is often used for dainty, European-style pieces, jewelers say it carries the highest making charges and offers weaker resale value, making it less appealing to investment-focused shoppers.
“The lower the gold’s karat, the harder it is to mold,” explained Kumar. “Working with low karats like 18K takes more time and precision, which increases labor costs.” That added labor is reflected in the making charge — a markup applied to the price of gold per gram for craftsmanship, which doesn’t contribute to the resale value.
Still, 18K remains the go-to for many Filipino shoppers and others who prioritize aesthetics over return value. “I prefer 18K because it’s simpler and more elegant,” said Rachel, a Filipino customer. “The higher-karat designs are too loud – too madame. Unlike 18K pieces which I can easily stack and wear daily without feeling it’s too much.
For many, gold is more than a fashion statement – it’s financial security. “Gold is the most affordable investment for me right now. Instead of wasting money, I buy gold. It’s like my money is still there, just preserved in a different form,” said Nada Dawod, an Egyptian gold enthusiast.
“When I was younger, I loved 18K gold,” she said. “But once I started buying gold with my own money, I switched to 21K. It has better resale value and comes with a lower making charge. Even if I like a design in 18K, I try to find a similar one in 21K.”
KUWAIT: In a joint effort that reflects synergy among public and private institutions to advance the national sustainability agenda, ECO Business Incubator launched the ‘Together for E-Waste-Free Schools’ initiative in cooperation with Ahmadi Governorate, Zain Kuwait, Boubyan Bank, the Ministry of Education, the Environment Public Authority, Kuwait Airways, Kuwait University, the Arab Open University, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and Kuwait Oil Company. This community initiative aims to reinforce environmental sustainability goals and embed a culture of circular economy across society.
The launch was announced at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center (JACC), in the presence of the Governor of Ahmadi Sheikh Humoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Chairman of Kuwait Airways Capt Abdulmohsen Al-Fagaan, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education Hamad Al-Hamad, Acting Director General of the Environment Public Authority Nouf Bahbahani, Chairman of the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources Dr Mohammad Dawood Al-Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer – Consumer, Private, and Digital Banking at Boubyan Bank Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri, Chief Purpose and HR Officer at Zain Kuwait Nawal Bourisli, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait Waleed Al-Khashti, Director General of the Arab Open University Dr. Salah Al-Hammadi, the Deputy Managing Director for Support Services at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Dhari Al-Gharabally, and the founder of ECO Business Incubator and the initiative’s Director Jassem Al-Abouh.
The initiative primarily aims to instill responsible environmental behaviors in schools and households and to build a practical model for e-waste management through an institutional collaboration framework that includes schools, government entities, the private sector, and certified recycling partners. It also seeks to increase collection rates of end-of-life devices, recover valuable materials, and reduce the impact of hazardous substances associated with e-waste.
During his opening remarks, Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Humoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah affirmed that current environmental challenges require shared awareness and responsibility from institutions and individuals. He noted that e-waste is a major source of pollution due to its health and environmental risks if not properly treated and recycled.
Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Abdulmohsen Al-Faqaan, Chairman of Kuwait Airways
Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait
Waleed Al-Saqaabi, Executive Director of Corporate Communications and Relations at Boubyan Bank
Jassem Al-Abouh, founder of ECO Business Incubator and initiative director
He added that this national initiative reflects a commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection by reinforcing a culture of responsibility through public-private cooperation and community engagement, emphasizing that the integration of official, community, and volunteer efforts, particularly within school environments, will strengthen sustainable practices for handling e-waste and achieve the initiative’s goals.
Kuwait Airways Chairman Capt Abdulmohsen Al-Fagaan expressed the company’s pride in joining this national initiative. He explained that the participation aligns with the airline’s social responsibility programs and focus on sustainability, noting that the national carrier adopts eco-friendly technologies and practices across its fleet and operations to safeguard the future of upcoming generations, while pledging continued support for national environmental efforts in line with the nation’s vision and leadership.
Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait, stressed that the partnership with ECO builds on a strategic relationship that began in 2022 and that its results are realized when visions unite around sustainability. He explained that starting with schools and focusing on e-waste is directly tied to Zain’s business as a technology leader.
As a sustainable institution, Zain’s responsibility extends beyond providing digital services to managing that service’s entire environmental footprint. He added that uniting the efforts of ministries, government bodies, and leading national companies aims to educate the next generation and involve them early in shouldering responsibility, and that working inside schools is an investment in daily habits that shape a sustainable social behavior, giving Kuwait a competitive edge in the green transition and bringing it closer to its sustainable development vision.
Waleed Al-Saqaabi, Executive Director of Corporate Communications and Relations at Boubyan Bank, stated that schools are the starting point for instilling environmental awareness among young generations and that this initiative is a practical step to build a more responsible youth. He emphasized that e-waste is among the fastest-growing and most hazardous pollutants globally, which necessitates management according to best standards to protect soil, water, and public health.
He noted that Boubyan Bank previously implemented an initiative with ‘Tadweeri’ through which more than 3.4 tons of e-waste were collected and nearly 5 tons of CO2 emissions were avoided. He concluded that the initiative is a model of national collaboration that brings together government entities and private sector partners, confirming that sustainability is central to the bank’s strategy through concrete steps that support schools as the nucleus of change and deploy innovative digital solutions to reduce environmental impact toward a green and sustainable future.
Jassem Al-Abouh, founder of ECO Business Incubator and Director of the ‘Toward E-Waste-Free Schools’ initiative, affirmed that launching this national effort aims to build integrated environmental awareness across Kuwait’s schools by promoting responsible consumption and encouraging the recycling of e-waste to protect the environment and students’ health. He explained that the initiative targets students, teachers, school administrations, and parents through awareness sessions and hands-on workshops over four months, converting schools into primary collection points for devices prior to safe and sustainable reuse and recycling.
Partnerships include the Ministry of Education, the Environment Public Authority, and other supporting entities, with recognition for the main partners Zain, Boubyan Bank, and Kuwait Oil Company. Al-Abouh added that the initiative’s message is clear: transforming e-waste from a burden into an opportunity that recovers valuable resources and anchors sustainability values in schools and communities. He noted that the initiative will continue until January 2026 and will conclude with a comprehensive environmental and technical report and recognition of the most outstanding participating schools and entities.
Roadmap
The first-year roadmap comprises sequential phases that ensure continuity and wide community impact. The awareness and education phase runs from September to December 2025 and includes talks, hands-on workshops, and educational materials for students, teachers, and parents. This is followed by a practical application phase from October to December 2025 with school collection points activated and creative upcycling activities for non-functional devices. The initiative concludes in January 2026 with evaluation, publication of an environmental and technical report, and recognition of distinguished schools and stakeholders.
Implementation mechanism
The initiative follows an integrated participatory approach based on institutional collaboration that engages ministries and government authorities along with leading national private sector companies. Field implementation includes monthly workshops and talks across Kuwait’s six governorates. The campaign focuses on waste management by placing dedicated containers as central collection points inside schools and transporting devices using approved waste management processes to certified recycling partners. Rigorous documentation and follow-up include measuring collected volumes and issuing interim and final reports. The initiative aims to involve students in volunteer work, encourage parents to drop off old devices at collection points, and build partnerships with cooperative societies and civil society organizations to maximize impact.
KUWAIT: The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) signed a cooperation agreement on Tuesday with the American Institute for Safety and Health to accredit its first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and public safety training programs. KRCS Chairman Khaled Al-Mughamis said the agreement reflects the society’s vision to develop its training programs, expand international partnerships and strengthen its humanitarian role in emergency response.
He noted that the agreement covers a wide range of general and specialized medical courses aimed at saving lives and enhancing the skills of healthcare providers, medical personnel, volunteers and community members through the society’s accredited training center. Al-Mughamis explained that certificates for courses in first aid, CPR and public safety will now carry official accreditation. The American Institute will provide all required documentation for the programs, including approval of the course content and trainee certifications..
He added that the agreement will boost cooperation in the fields of health and vocational training, supporting the society’s mission of spreading awareness, building knowledge and developing human capacities. Al-Mughamis stressed the importance of raising community awareness on first aid, underscoring its vital role in saving lives, minimizing the effects of injuries and ensuring that individuals are qualified to take the correct measures in emergencies. — KUNA
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