To buy some raw gemstones in Dubai?

[thewillandtheway]

Spoiler alert - I don’t have a clue what I’m buying and am
certainly not a professional in this field.

DH has been talking about gifting me some jewellery for a while now, but I’ve never really found anything that I like!

We are currently in Dubai and have been chatting to a few different people in our hotel who have been / are going to the Gold and Diamond Park. This has sparked the conversation up again between DH and I. He’s keen for me to get something precious and memorable but I’m still not sure what that would be.

He has suffered a trip later this evening to the Gold & Diamond Park. I guess I’m worried as I don’t have the slightest idea what I am looking for (or at) but I think I’ve decided that it might be more sensible for me to buy some loose gemstones instead of a pre set niece so that I can have more control over the look, colours, style etc.

have any of you been to the Gold & Diamond park in Dubai before? And if so, any tips?

And lastly, am I absolutely crazy getting raw stones?

Thanks!

@InterIgnis was just about to recommend Cara myself@thewillandtheway you won’t go wrong with Cara, I have some beautiful jewellery from them.

As a tourist you will pay top price.

I'd google the import duty and VAT payable on anything you bring back, and a quick search on the cost of having it set into something you like. The total cost might not be much cheaper than buying something ready-made from an independent jeweler in the UK, and definitely more difficult to resolve any issues if it's not exactly as described.
A family member recently gave me a small unset stone as a surprise, but the cost of buying enough gold to have it set plus the labour, means it would cost a lot to make it into a piece of wearable jewelry - so it's just going to sit in a drawer.

If you want beautiful stones, my friend, who is possibly one of the most highly qualified and respected gemmologists in the UK, sells stunning recycled gemstones

You are going to get alot more bang for your buck, and no import duty, and guaranteed that they are genuine. www.gemmologyrocks.com

Just go to the souk for the experience

IF I was there I would be more looking for genuine Bedouin antique stuff, not the tourist market, where you will be paying through the nose, even with the haggles

I used to live in Dubai and go there regularly … Cara’s is the best and cheapest store, and if you notice the busiest!! Make sure you get your certificate matching your gem and all will be well. I brought several diamonds back with me 6/7 years ago, but all have been sold since to help with living costs in the UK unfortunately. I personally love an emerald cut diamond - and remember the four c’s grading - Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carot Weight that all effect price at the end of the day xx but 5-10 years ago the price of diamonds there are approximately one third of the of the price they are in the UK.

beautiful aquamarines
https://gemmologyrocks.com/collections/aquamarine?sort_by=best-selling&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=]]

The gold is charged at a set rate, the stones and labour costs are what you can haggle over. Its expected. TBH I wouldn't bother buying an unset stone, it will end up costing more than its worth by the time you get it made in to anything. Just buy a nice piece and wear it on the way back..

You would be better off going to the original gold souk for a better deal - the gold and diamond malls are all over priced

No advice I’m afraid op but lucky you! Enjoy being treated!

Aquamarines are beautiful and often set with diamonds, so you should have an idea of the setting in mind and buy both if necessary. Also have a rough idea of the price per carat for the different qualities.

Heat treatment to enhance the colour isn't a problem, just make sure to get the lab certificate for the stone (possibly Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) and Guild Gem Laboratory). Ask where the stones are from as Mozambique ones are cheaper than Brasilian.

I've bought unset coloured gemstones in commercial markets over the years but usually spend several months 'getting my eye in' before buying.

Thanks everyone for all of your tips tricks and advice!

we went to the G&D park last night and it was so overwhelming 🤣

I ended up getting three very small, dainty stones - ones I’ve always liked the look of but never owned.

A lemon yellow Citrine
A Smoky lavender grey Topaz
A sparkly little Aquamarine

In not sure what the next steps for them are yet, but for now I’m enjoying just owning something so pretty!

Ive bought some fabulous stones over the years from Dubai, Qatar and Sri Lanka and a gems exhibition in Australia. I think my favourite was a square spinel which changes colour depending on the light but think shades of blues/green/ grey. That stone I bought from Sri Lanka but had it made into a ring in Qatar as I was living there at the time. Its a lot of fun buying the stones then coming up with ideas. I also have a couple of rings I rarely wear that Im going to get remodelled using the stones I have.

@katscamelThe spinel sounds amazing! There were some gorgeous spinels I saw when browsing yesterday.

I now need to decide what I am going to use my stones for / how to set them. I really like the citrine and topaz together, so perhaps something incorporating both of those!

the aquamarine I have no idea what to do with. I just loved it when I saw it!

How much were they ? (I love the citrine so much)

They’re probably blood gems from Sudan. The UAE is funding the awful killings there in the name of gold and jewels don’t do it.

They were really affordable actually - I was pleasantly surprised!

the citrine is 0.90 carats and natural from Madagascar (as per the certificate!) and was AED54 - so just slightly over £10!