Gold jewellery is usually described in terms of karatage (caratage), which is an indication of its gold content, for example 18 karat or 18K. Alternatively, the gold content can be described in terms of "fineness', which is the gold content expressed in parts per thousand, for example 750 (which is 18 karat or 75% gold).

Since the price paid by the purchaser for gold jewellery is based on the amount of gold in it, it is important for the consumer to know how many karats of gold there is in the piece. Most jewellery worldwide is marked with the karatage or fineness. Pure gold ('fine gold') is 24 karats (carats) and so 24 karats is theoretically 100% gold.

A harder alloy is made by adding nickel or a tiny percentage of titanium. The proposition of gold in jewellery is measured on the karat (or carat) scale. The word 'karat' comes from the carob seed, which was originally used to balance scales in oriental bazaars.

I. Deira Gold Souk

The Deira Gold Souq is world renowned as the largest gold bazaar in the world, the Gold Souq in Deira is the main reason that Dubai has received the name City of Gold.

II. Bur Dubai

The streets of Bur Dubai have recently become a popular choice for gold shopping. One can find all the popular brands available in the "Al Fahidi Street" and "Meena Bazaar" areas of Bur Dubai.

III. Karama

Another prevalent choice for gold shopping is the karama area which is predominantly a residential area but offers its own mini Souk with a large number of Gold and Jewellery retailers as well as shops offering fantastic deals on clothes, handbags, electronics and other knick knacks.

V. Shopping Malls

Most Shopping Malls across Dubai tend to have a dedicated area for their Gold & Jewellery customers and retailers - listed below are some of the more popular malls based on their size and offerings

VI. Gold & Diamond Park

Established in May 2001, the park now consists of more than 38 retail outlets and 118 manufacturing units. It has become literally the heart of the gold and diamond jewelery market in New Dubai.

When you buy gold jewellery, make sure that it is given to your in a box with a satin or velvet lining. Gold ornaments should not be kept in pouches, because this will cause scratching and wearing away of gold when the gold pieces brush against each other. This even more likely if the ornament is studded with diamonds or other hard gemstones.

Ideally, two different gold ornaments should not be kept in the same box. Wrapping smaller items of jewellery individually in tissue paper before keeping them in the box safeguards them from scratches.

Evaluating price

In addition to the Karat's weight, the price of gold jewellery is determined by several factors; total weight; design and construction; and ornamental detailing, such as engraving or Florentine finish. Although nearly all gold jewellery today is made with the help of special machines, some manual work is always involved. The more manual work involved in making a particular piece, the higher its price.

Colors of gold

Pure (24 karat) gold is a deep yellow color (an orange shade of yellow) and is soft and very malleable. The colored karat gold alloys range in gold content from 8 to 22 karats (33.3% - 91.6% gold) and can be obtained in a range of color shades: green (actually a green shade of yellow), pale yellow, yellow, deep yellow, pink/rose and red. There are also white golds and even unusually colored gold such as 'purple gold'.

They all have different mechanical properties such as strength, hardness and malleability (ductility) and some alloys can be heat treated to maximize strength and hardness.