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Style or security? How culture shapes gold buying habits in Kuwait

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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.”

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Kuwaiti PM rep. reaffirms commitment to dialogue, regional security

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 ALULA, Saudi Arabia: Representing His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah stressed Wednesday that Kuwait’s participation in Munich Security Conference (MSC) Leaders Meeting, reflects commitment to regional dialogue and cooperation.

In remarks to KUNA, on the sidelines of the meeting in AlUla city, Sheikh Fahad condemned Israeli aggression against Qatar and Gaza as a violation of international law, emphasizing that the assault posed a direct threat to Gulf collective security and broader regional stability, urging urgent international attention.

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He noted that the meeting provided a vital platform to discuss pressing global and regional security challenges, particularly the escalating conflicts and humanitarian tragedies in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, where participants agreed sustainable security remains impossible amid ongoing Israeli aggression.

He warned of grave consequences from escalating conflicts caused by Israeli occupation’s aggression, stressing risks to Gulf stability, while noting deliberations also addressed maritime and energy security, non-proliferation, food and water security, economic challenges, and shared transnational threats facing the international community.Reaffirming Kuwait’s commitment under its current presidency of the GCC, Sheikh Fahad stressed the importance of bolstering collective security, unifying Gulf positions, and strengthening regional and international partnerships, while praising Saudi Arabia’s warm hospitality and MSC’s role in organizing this vital meeting. — KUNA

 

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Deliveroo Kuwait unveils exclusive global dishes

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KUWAIT: Deliveroo Kuwait is serving up a global culinary journey with the launch of the new dishes from “The Exchange Program”. The first-of-its-kind initiative sent four of Kuwait’s top chefs abroad to explore viral food trends. Each created a fusion dish inspired by their journey, available exclusively on Deliveroo.

The program kicked off with Chef Khaled Al-Baker of Young Po, who took inspiration from the bustling streets of Seoul, South Korea, to introduce Rabokki. The dish combines chewy rice cakes and ramen noodles in a spicy, savory sauce, bringing the authentic flavors of Korean street food straight to Kuwait.

From Rome, Italy, Chef Faisal Al-Nashmi of San Ristorante is introducing the Maritozzi Box. Featuring indulgent cream-filled buns, the dish captures the essence of Italy’s sweet traditions while adding Chef Al-Nashmi’s modern touch. Chef Sawsan Daana of Matbakhi is channeling the spirit of Athens, Greece, with the Savory Souffra. Inspired by the communal dining tables of the Mediterranean, this dish celebrates togetherness through a vibrant spread of flavors that highlight the richness and warmth of Greek cuisine.

Finally, OH G!’s Chef Ghalia Hayat is bringing a taste of London, England, with the Donut Pudding Ice Cream. Reinventing classic British desserts, this whimsical dish brings together Hayat’s salted caramel pudding ice cream with a decadent chocolatey fudge swirl and chunks of donut, to deliver a unique sweet experience that will surprise and delight.

Deliveroo Kuwait’s Exchange Program is more than just a menu — it’s a cultural experience. By spotlighting Kuwaiti chefs and their creative reinterpretations of international dishes, the program bridges food trends with local talent, inviting customers to explore the world without leaving their homes. All dishes are available now and for a limited time, exclusively on Deliveroo Kuwait.

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Kuwait to standardize recognition of foreign high school diplomas

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KUWAIT: Kuwait’s ministers of education and higher education are working on a unified system to recognize foreign high school diplomas, a move that comes amid long-running concerns over fairness in the government’s scholarship program.

Every year, thousands of Kuwaiti high school graduates compete for all-expenses-paid government scholarships to study abroad. While students from public, private, and foreign schools can apply, critics have repeatedly accused the program of favouring graduates of foreign-language private schools — a claim officials have repeatedly denied.

On Wednesday, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr Nader Al-Jallal and Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabai held a joint meeting to discuss a standardized process. Senior officials from both ministries and representatives from higher education institutions also attended.

In a joint statement, the ministers said they focused on “organizational and technical aspects of the recognition process in a way that limits grade inflation and ensures fairness and equal opportunity for graduates of the Ministry of Education who wish to join various higher education institutions inside and outside the country.”

They also emphasized “the importance of continuing coordination and working in a team spirit between the two sides to reach an integrated and fair system that reinforces confidence in the mechanisms for recognizing foreign secondary school certificates” and committed to implementing the agreed-upon measures “to ensure swift completion and achieve the desired goals.”

The ministries said the effort will help unify procedures to meet the requirements of the coming phase and serve the public interest of students and their families. — Agencies

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