In short
- Price of a necklace = gold weight x today's rate for its karat + making charge + 5% VAT; stones and pearls are a separate line.
- On six necklaces and sets one UAE store listed on 14 November 2026, the making charge was 19.5% to 25.5% of the gold value, higher than on its plain chains.
- A set is weighed and priced as one piece: compare gold weight and making charge, not the total.
- Pearls, coloured stones and zircon may have no buy-back value, so pay the gold rate only on the gold weight.
- For bridal and custom orders, get the gold weight and making charge in writing before you order: custom pieces are often not returnable.
The gold necklace price in Dubai is set the same way as for any gold jewellery: the weight of the gold at the day's rate for its karat, plus the shop's making charge, plus 5% VAT on both. Stones and pearls are a separate line. What makes necklaces different is the work: on the pieces we read, the making charge took a bigger share than on plain chains from the same shop. Below: today's gold value for necklaces of 5 to 30 grams, six necklaces and sets one UAE store listed on 14 November 2026, and what sets, pearls and bridal orders do to the bill.
- 6.4-15.6 g
- gold weight of six necklaces and sets one UAE store listed on 14 Nov 2026
- 19.5-25.5 %
- making charge as a share of the gold value on those pieces
- 9.5-21.5 %
- the same share on seven plain chains from that store, same day
- 76-80 %
- share of the gold in the final price of the six pieces
How the gold necklace price in Dubai is built
The gold line comes from the daily per-gram rate of the Dubai Jewellery Group (DJG), which covers five karats from 24K down to 14K and which, DJG says, the jewellery retail trade follows.12 Many stores price a piece as gold weight plus making charges.3 In Abu Dhabi, Visit Abu Dhabi says, a charge for craftsmanship is added to the weight price and varies with the intricacy of the piece.10 VAT is 5%.11
Gold value at today's rate for example necklace weights (examples only; the 10 g row matches the popular "necklace designs in 10 grams" search):
| Weight | 22K, AED | 18K, AED |
|---|---|---|
| 5 g | 2,167.50 | 1,781.25 |
| 8 g | 3,468.00 | 2,850.00 |
| 10 g | 4,335.00 | 3,562.50 |
| 15 g | 6,502.50 | 5,343.75 |
| 20 g | 8,670.00 | 7,125.00 |
| 30 g | 13,005.00 | 10,687.50 |
For the weight on a tag in front of you, use the gold price calculator. If a set includes earrings, ask for the weight of each piece; our guide to gold earring prices shows how much more of their price goes to the work.
Six necklaces and sets from one store
Tanishq's UAE online shop shows a price breakdown on each piece. On 14 November 2026 it priced the gold at that day's DJG rate for each karat.112
| Piece | Karat | Gold, g | Gold, AED | Making, AED | Making, share | Price, AED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Necklace | 22K | 6.442 | 2,792.61 | 600.41 | 21.5% | 3,563 |
| Necklace | 22K | 12.637 | 5,478.14 | 1,396.93 | 25.5% | 7,219 |
| Necklace set | 22K | 14.468 | 6,271.88 | 1,285.74 | 20.5% | 7,868 |
| Mesh necklace set with earrings | 22K | 15.575 | 6,751.76 | 1,586.66 | 23.5% | 8,755 |
| Necklace set | 18K | 10.368 | 3,693.60 | 794.12 | 21.5% | 4,712 |
| Necklace set | 18K | 12.553 | 4,472.01 | 872.04 | 19.5% | 5,611 |
- More work than a chain. The making charge ran from 19.5% to 25.5% of the gold value, against 9.5% to 21.5% on the store's plain chains; compare the gold chain price breakdowns.12
- Heavier was not cheaper to make. The 12.637 g necklace carried 25.5%, more than the 6.442 g one at 21.5%.12
- The gold was 76% to 80% of the price. Visit Dubai's rule of thumb for jewellery is roughly 80 to 90 per cent, so these pieces sat at the low end.712
Necklace, set, choker or mangalsutra
The same store files necklaces, necklace sets, gold choker necklaces, haarams and mangalsutras as separate categories.12 Whatever the name, three things decide the bill:
- A set is weighed as one piece
- The mesh set above lists earrings 3.3 cm high, yet shows one weight, 15.575 g, and one price for the whole set.12 To compare a set with a single necklace, compare the gold weight and the making charge, not the total.
- Gross weight is not gold weight
- One 18K set listed a gross weight of 10.418 g and a gold weight of 10.368 g, and the gold line used the 10.368 g.12 Your invoice should do the same.
- The making charge is set per design
- Ornate work costs more: in Sharjah, the more intricate the design, the more you can expect to pay, and the craftsmanship charge can be negotiated.9
Every gold jewellery item must carry an official hallmark or tag under UAE standards, so check the necklace and each earring of a set.5 All jewellery sold in the UAE also carries the quality mark of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.6 Our guide explains the 916 and 750 gold marks.
Pearls and stones in a gold necklace
The Gulf has a long pearl history: DJG notes that quality pearls were found in the waters of the Arabian Gulf from ancient times.4 For a buyer today, three points matter:
- Imitation pearls are coated glass beads with no real value, DJG says.4 Ask in writing whether pearls are natural, cultured or imitation.
- Diamonds and gems should be described in writing: weight, number, clarity, colour and cut, plus the purity and weight of the metal, as DJG asks of retailers. One carat is about 0.2 grams.4
- Resale value. Joyalukkas states that birthstones, semi-precious and coloured stones, pearls and zircon have no exchange or buy-back value, and that its exchanges are done on net weight, without stones.13
Bridal and festive necklaces
Visit Abu Dhabi describes the range on sale in the UAE:
from clean and classic Western designs to more opulent and ornate Arabian wedding jewellery
Visit Abu Dhabi, gold and gold jewellery
- Indian bridal sets. Joyalukkas' UAE site has bridal collections for North Indian, Tamil, Kerala and Karnataka brides.14 Khushi Jewellers, quoted by Visit Dubai, specialises in polki, bridal and Indian antique jewellery.7
- Arabic and Turkish designs. Zaiba Jewels, also quoted by Visit Dubai, specialises in Arabic, Turkish and Indian designs made of 22K gold.7
- Festival buying. Khushi Jewellers told Visit Dubai that Diwali purchases are usually lightweight pieces.7
- Made to order. At the Sharjah Gold Centre you can have a piece custom-made.9 Get the gold weight and the making charge in writing before the order is placed: at Joyalukkas, custom-made and specially ordered pieces cannot be returned.13
For bridal shopping, Visit Dubai sends readers to Meena Bazaar for its range of traditional and contemporary designs, as well as to the Gold Souk and the big malls; most Gold Souk shops open from 10am to 10pm.78 Our directory lists gold and jewellery shops in Dubai. For a pricing dispute or misrepresentation at a Dubai shop, DJG gives the Dubai Consumer Protection number 600545555.5
22K or 18K for a necklace
Both are sold as plain gold: the six pieces above include 22K necklaces and plain 18K sets.12 The formula is the same; the rate per gram differs.
- 22K is 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals, fineness 916, and has the higher rate per gram.1415
- 18K is 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals, fineness 750. Visit Dubai says it is the more durable choice for stone-studded pieces, and DJG says diamond jewellery is usually made in 18K white or yellow gold.4715
- White or rose. The colour comes from the alloy; a colour applied by electroplating is only a surface finish and wears off.4 See our white gold price guide.
Where to sell or exchange a gold necklace
A used necklace is valued by its material value, which DJG says may be much lower than what you paid.4 For a necklace that means the gold weight, without the stones, times the buyer's rate; the making charge, the VAT and often the stones are lost.
- Back to the shop that sold it. A set bought with its invoice and certificate is easiest to trade in: Tanishq credits its own plain gold at the full metal rate of the day but keeps the making charge and taxes, and Joyalukkas deducts the stone weight along with making charges once 15 days have passed.1213
- Remodel instead of selling. For diamonds in an ordinary set (not a brand or designer piece), DJG advises remodelling it into a newer design, with the least expense to the owner.4
- For cash. Compare offers per gram on the same day from shops that buy used gold.
Questions and answers
How much is a gold necklace in Dubai?
The gold value is the weight multiplied by the day's rate for the karat, shown in the table on this page; the shop adds a making charge and 5% VAT. On 14 November 2026 one UAE retailer listed plain 22K and 18K necklaces and sets of 6.442 g to 15.575 g at AED 3,563 to AED 8,755. That is one store on one day, not a market price.
How is the price of a gold necklace calculated?
Gold weight in grams multiplied by the Dubai Jewellery Group rate for the karat, plus the making charge set by the shop, plus 5% VAT on both. Stones are priced separately by weight and quality. Enter your weight and karat in the gold price calculator to see the gold value today.
How many grams is a gold necklace?
No official source publishes a standard weight; it depends on the design and whether earrings are included. The necklaces and sets one UAE retailer listed on 14 November 2026 weighed 6.442 g to 15.575 g. Ask the shop to weigh the piece in front of you and write the gold weight on the invoice.
What is the making charge on a gold necklace in Dubai?
Each shop sets it, and it rises with the intricacy of the design; it can be negotiated. On six necklaces and sets one retailer listed on 14 November 2026 it was 19.5% to 25.5% of the gold value. See our guide to gold making charges.
What karat gold is best for a necklace?
Both 22K and 18K are sold as plain gold necklaces. 22K (fineness 916) holds more gold and has the higher rate per gram; 18K (750) costs less per gram and is the more durable choice for stone-studded pieces, Visit Dubai says. DJG adds that diamond jewellery is usually made in 18K white or yellow gold.
Is a necklace set priced differently from a necklace?
The formula is the same, but the set is weighed and priced as one piece, earrings included. One 22K set listed on 14 November 2026 showed earrings 3.3 cm high and a single weight of 15.575 g for the set. Compare sets on gold weight and making charge, not on the total price.
Do stones in a gold necklace count as gold weight?
They should not. One 18K set listed a gross weight of 10.418 g but priced its gold on 10.368 g. DJG asks retailers to state stone and metal weight in writing. At least one retailer says coloured stones, pearls and zircon have no exchange or buy-back value.
Where can I sell my gold necklace in Dubai?
Jewellers and gold buyers value a used necklace by its material value: the gold weight, without stones, times their buying rate for the karat. Some retailers take their own pieces back for exchange at the day's metal rate after deducting making charges and taxes. Compare offers per gram on the same day; see how to sell gold in Dubai.
Sources
Every number in this guide comes from one of these pages. Official pages are linked. Stores are named without a link: we do not send readers to store websites.
- Dubai Jewellery Group Today's suggested retail gold jewellery price read 14 November 2026
- Dubai Jewellery Group Key functions of the Dubai Jewellery Group read 14 November 2026
- Dubai Jewellery Group Value read 14 November 2026
- Dubai Jewellery Group Jewellery guide read 14 November 2026
- Dubai Jewellery Group Know your rights read 14 November 2026
- Dubai Jewellery Group Compliance read 14 November 2026
- Visit Dubai All that glitters: the insider's guide to gold in Dubai read 14 November 2026
- Visit Dubai Gold Souk read 14 November 2026
- Visit Sharjah Sharjah Gold Centre read 14 November 2026
- Visit Abu Dhabi Gold and gold jewellery read 14 November 2026
- UAE Government portal (u.ae) Tax refund for tourists read 14 November 2026
- Tanishq UAE Online shop: product pages of six gold necklaces and necklace sets (price breakdown, weights, exchange programme), category menu read 14 November 2026
- Joyalukkas UAE Website: sales return and exchange policy read 14 November 2026
- Joyalukkas UAE Website: home page, bridal collections read 14 November 2026
- UAE Legislation Federal Law concerning monitoring trade in precious stones and precious metals and its stamping read 14 November 2026
This guide explains how selling and buying gold works in the UAE as the named sources describe it. It is not financial or legal advice, and each business sets its own terms: confirm them with the business before you hand anything over.