Latest news with #DamasJewellery
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
6 days ago
- Business
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Damas Jewellery Expands Its GAIA Collection with Noor Stars
Damas Jewellery teams up with Noor Stars to expand GAIA, its lab-grown diamond collection, celebrating sustainable elegance throughout her wedding journey Damas Jewellery, one of the Middle East's most iconic jewellery maisons, has announced the expansion of its trailblazing GAIA collection with a sparkling new collaboration featuring content creator Noor Stars. As a friend of the brand, Noor will showcase GAIA's lab-grown diamonds throughout her wedding celebrations, highlighting the collection's enduring beauty and ethical brilliance. Launched in 2021, GAIA is the region's first lab-grown diamond collection and has since redefined modern luxury by offering sustainable alternatives without compromising on quality or craftsmanship. Created using advanced technology that replicates the Earth's natural diamond-forming process, GAIA diamonds are certified by leading gemmological institutes such as HRD Antwerp and adhere to the timeless 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Colour, and Carat, while introducing a meaningful fifth 'C' for Choice – every piece is selected for its natural character and brilliance. The expanded GAIA line introduces elegant, contemporary designs crafted to reflect the values of today's confident, conscious women. Noor Stars, one of the Arab world's most influential digital creators, will wear GAIA pieces during key moments of her wedding journey, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, exemplifying the collection's versatility across bridal, occasion and everyday wear. 'I am thrilled and honoured to represent GAIA, a brand by Damas that celebrates timeless beauty and empowers the woman of tomorrow,' said Noor. Her partnership with Damas signals a powerful shift in how luxury is defined, where glamour meets responsibility. The GAIA collection is available at Damas Jewellery stores across the GCC and online. Discover more at
Arab News
22-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
In Dubai's Gold Souk, bullion's record run brings little joy for jewellers
DUBAI: In the bustling Gold Souk in Dubai, dubbed the 'City of Gold,' 22-karat gold jewelry is a traditional favorite for weddings, religious celebrations, and as a family investment. Yet with bullion prices hitting record highs above $3,400 an ounce, there are signs of change, as buyers look to diamonds and lighter gold jewelry, instead. While US tariffs and other factors have added fire to already hot demand for gold as an investment, the impact is different for gold jewelry, according to Andrew Naylor, head of Middle East and Public Policy at the World Gold Council (WGC). 'In markets like Dubai, this creates a two-fold effect: on one hand, you see stronger interest in gold as a safe-haven asset, on the other, high prices dampen jewelry demand.' At Dubai's Gold Souk, retailers said they are seeing this trend, as current prices prompt shoppers to look for alternatives. 'There are no potential customers nowadays because of the gold prices,' said Fahad Khan, a sales representative at retailer Damas Jewellery. 'It's a little bit tough to afford gold, so I think it's better to go with diamonds,' said Lalita Dave, 52, as she browsed around the Gold Souk. Lab-grown diamonds Dubai has been a magnet for gold buyers for at least 80 years, starting with Iranian and Indian traders, both cultures sharing a tradition of 22-karat jewelry for adornment and investment. Yet as gold prices rose 27 percent last year, demand for gold jewelry in the UAE fell by around 13 percent, outpacing an 11 percent drop globally, according to the WGC. Jewellery demand could face further pressure across key regions in 2025 if gold prices remain elevated or volatile, the WGC said in its gold demand trends report published in February. Price swings, more than price levels, are increasingly shaping consumer behavior, particularly in India, it noted. Shifts in Indian purchasing patterns often ripple through Gulf markets such as the UAE, where buyers are a key driver of sales. Goldman Sachs recently raised its end-2025 gold forecast to $3,700 per ounce and said prices could climb as high as $4,500. 'Higher gold prices are likely to dampen demand for jewelry, in a classic example of how the best cure for high prices is high prices,' said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell. One sign of economizing has been the rise of lab-grown diamonds. India exported $171 million worth of lab-grown diamonds to the UAE in 2024, up almost 57 percent from $109 million two years earlier, data from the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council showed. India's exports of cut and polished diamonds to the UAE in the April–November 2024 were up 3.7 percent. UAE ranked third in global diamond imports in 2023, trade data shows, its primary trade partners including India, South Africa, and Belgium. While the UAE accounted for just 1.5 percent of the global diamond jewelry market by revenue in 2023, it is projected to grow by 5.9 percent annually to reach nearly $2 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. That outpaces the global growth forecast of 4.5 percent and makes the UAE the fastest growing market in the Middle East and Africa. Trade tensions One impact from recent trade tensions with the US has been accelerated talk about finding alternative markets and production hubs, two executives at major Indian diamond exporters said. If tensions persist, potentially spanning years, one of the sources speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity said his company's contingency plans included shifting some Indian production overseas, including to the UAE. Shamlal Ahamed, managing director of international operations at retailer Malabar Gold & Diamonds, said the rise in lab-grown diamond jewelry sales in the UAE appeared to be driven more by design preferences than pricing and he remained bullish on gold jewelry demand. 'While price-conscious buyers may wait for a dip, our experience shows that such declines are often short-lived, with buyers quickly adapting to new price levels.'
