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.”
Crown Prince, Starmer exchange calls • Coast Guard discusses security with UK official
KUWAIT: Kuwait and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their strong bilateral relations in a series of high-level discussions this week, covering diplomacy, regional security, and maritime cooperation. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received a telephone call on Wednesday from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to review the “distinguished and close” relations between the two countries and explore ways to further enhance them.
Prime Minister Starmer wished His Highness continued health and wellbeing, and expressed hopes for Kuwait’s ongoing progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In response, the Crown Prince thanked the Prime Minister, describing the communication as a reflection of the “deep and solid” ties between the two friendly nations. He emphasized the shared commitment to further strengthen historical relations and expand cooperation across all fields, wishing continued prosperity to the UK and its people.
According to a statement from the UK foreign affairs department, the Prime Minister said the UK would work with close allies including Kuwait to implement President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. The Prime Minister added that he felt a strong sense of responsibility that this plan delivered an end to the fighting in Gaza and a long-term pathway to peace.
His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah chairs a meeting of the the Supreme Defense Council.
In parallel developments, His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council, presided over a meeting of the council at Bayan Palace to review key regional developments and recent international affairs.
On the security front, Kuwait’s Coast Guard Director-General, Commodore Mubarak Ali Al-Sabah met with the UK’s Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren to discuss shared security interests and ways to enhance cooperation. The meeting took place at Sabah Al-Ahmad Coast Guard Base and included senior Coast Guard officials.
During the visit, Commodore Mubarak Al-Sabah highlighted the “historical depth” of Kuwait-UK relations and the ongoing development of military and security cooperation. Admiral Ahlgren was briefed on recent updates at the Coast Guard, including the new coastal monitoring system and the integration of naval drones into Kuwait’s maritime fleet. The visit underlined both countries’ shared commitment to strategic cooperation in security and maritime domains, aiming to strengthen regional stability and safeguard mutual interests. — Agencies
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.
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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