Price Of Gold Spurs Change To Arab Wedding Traditions

For most Arab brides, it’s inconceivable to marry without wearing a stunning collection of gold jewellery. Gold is a traditional part of the Arab wedding scene, and babies are often given gold as gifts.

Inflation and the high price of gold on the commodities market are eating into the Arab appetite for gold. Some jewellers report that their sales are down more than 70% from just three years ago.

Brides typically acquire gold jewellery as part of their shabka – a collection of gold finery that is purchased with money from the dowry she receives from the groom. At minimum, the shabka consists of a necklace, earrings and a bracelet, and often contains much more.

Lately, couples who plan to marry can’t afford gold jewellery because the price of gold is about AUD $1,100 per ounce, which substantially exceeds the average monthly income. From all indications, gold prices may even double from their current levels. To compensate, couples are skipping the shabka until gold prices come down.

Using another metal like silver is simply not an option for many traditionalists. Although the price of silver is much more affordable, it is considered a cheap metal and brides would rather borrow or rent gold jewellery for the ceremony than accept a silver shabka.

Privately, however, jewellery store owners report that silver sales have increased by as much as 60 percent since the price of gold soared. Store owners are being very careful to identify silver jewellery to prevent customers from mistaking it for white gold.

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding

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