RETAIL WATCH 零售观察 JNA March 2026 | 47 Dubai Jewellery Group Chairman and Jawhara Jewellery CEO Tawhid Abdulla, KGK Diamonds and Jewellery Middle East Head of Business Ashish Garg, La Marquise CEO Nishit Shah and World Gold Council Market Development and Public Policy Lead Lisa Vainio at a panel discussion during Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai 2025 迪拜珠宝集团主席 兼Jawhara Jewellery首席执 行官Tawhid Abdulla；KGK Diamonds and Jewellery 中东业务负责人Ashish Garg；La Marquise首 席执行官Nishit Shah； 世界黄金协会市场开 发及公共政策主管Lisa Vainio，在2025年迪拜珠宝 首饰及科技展的专题讨论中 分享见解 Gold Souk, Dubai 迪拜黄金市集 Dubai,” Al Hashemi disclosed, emphasising the UAE’s critical role in the global jewellery trade. Design directions Given the UAE’s multicultural population, preferences differ from group to group, making for an extremely diverse jewellery landscape. “Having different communities in the UAE, and specifically in Dubai, is an advantage. It is a market with varied tastes and designs that can serve as a gateway for many jewellers,” noted DMCC’s Associate Director – Precious Stones Mohammad Karam. Aside from international jewellery houses, which have made a beeline for the Gulf, the last decade has seen a tenfold increase in homegrown brands developing their own collections, said Emirati jewellery artist Azza Al Qubeisi. “Design has been evolving rapidly in the region overall, especially in the UAE. Understanding of the local market and its preferences has also deepened in the last two years,” she added. Sarvenaz Mehdian, head of Design at jewellery retail giant Damas, said the combination of traditional elegance and modernity is likely to dominate jewellery designs in the Middle East this year. Statement pieces such as chandelier earrings, oversized necklaces, cocktail rings and long pendants remain mustbuys, she noted. Layering of bracelets, rings and necklaces is another popular trend. Intricate looks are also in, such as wearing delicate chains with pendants, mixed metal rings and bracelets of varying textures. Personalisation is likewise favoured, with demand on the rise for nameplate necklaces, birthstone jewellery and custom charm bracelets, among others. “Whatever connects with the customer and reflects their story will be more successful,” said Mehdian, who also observed growing interest in ethical and sustainable products such as recycled metals, conflict-free diamonds, responsible sourcing and eco-friendly production. Designs continue to revolve around nature-driven, floral and sea-inspired motifs. “There is also a proliferation of mesh designs, as gold prices keep increasing,” Mehdian added. “Mesh is one technique that many jewellers are using to make their pieces lighter in weight and more pricepoint friendly.” Colour is also in fashion, with enamel accents, textured matte and three-tone gold among the trending options. Emeralds, rubies and sapphires remain the gemstone stalwarts for jewellery in the Middle East, while pearls are perennially relevant to design codes, given the Gulf’s pearling heritage. Golden prospects Culture, bridal, gifting and occasions such as Ramadan, Eid and National Days for locals and Diwali for expatriates from the Indian subcontinent count among the region’s main purchase drivers for jewellery, Mehdian said. While steep gold prices dented gold jewellery volumes in the region last year – in line with the global trend – values were significantly higher, according to the Gold Demand Trends 2025 report of the World Gold Council (WGC). Gold jewellery demand in the Middle East fell 11 per cent year on year to 153.1 tonnes in 2025 compared to 171.2 tonnes in 2024. According to WGC Market Development and Public Policy Lead Lisa Vainio, high gold prices led consumers in the region to pivot to lower gold purities. “Gold exchange has also increased, with consumers trading their old pieces for new ones. In some markets, that constitutes close to 40 per cent of the trade,” she added. Ashish Garg, head of Business at KGK Diamonds and Jewellery Middle East, observed a shift in preferences and purchase habits, rather than an outright drop in demand. For instance, people bought
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjAxOTU=