Dubai Gold Making Charges Guide

What you pay, what's negotiable, and how to avoid overpaying — 2026

Today's gold rate (without making charges): 22K — AED 480/gram · 24K — AED 523/gram · Use the gold calculator to price any piece.

What Are Making Charges?

Making charges (sometimes called "wastage charges" or "labour charges") are the jeweller's fee for designing and crafting gold jewellery. They are charged per gram on top of the gold content price and represent the jeweller's profit and craftsmanship cost.

The gold content price is identical at every licensed UAE shop — set daily by the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG). Making charges are where shops differentiate themselves, and where buyers can save significant money. On a 20-gram bridal necklace set, the difference between AED 8/gram and AED 20/gram making charges is AED 240 — real money worth negotiating.

⚠️ Key rule: The gold rate shown on this page is the metal-only price. Add making charges per gram plus 5% VAT on those charges to get your total jewellery cost.

Making Charges by Design Type — Dubai 2026

Design Category	Gold Souk	Branded Jeweller	Negotiable?
Machine-made chains & bangles	AED 3–6/gram	AED 8–12/gram	Yes (Souk)
Standard necklaces & earrings	AED 5–10/gram	AED 10–18/gram	Yes (Souk)
South Indian / temple jewellery	AED 8–15/gram	AED 12–20/gram	Partly
Bridal sets (full set)	AED 8–18/gram	AED 15–25/gram	Partly
Handmade / antique style	AED 12–22/gram	AED 20–35/gram	Limited
Diamond-studded pieces	AED 15–25/gram	AED 20–40/gram	No
Investment bars & coins	No making charge		N/A

Making Charges at Major Dubai Jewellers

Jeweller	Typical Making Charge	Negotiable?
Malabar Gold & Diamonds	AED 8–20/gram	Limited
Joyalukkas	AED 8–18/gram	Limited
Kalyan Jewellers	AED 8–18/gram	Limited
Tanishq	AED 10–22/gram	No
Damas	AED 10–25/gram	No
Dubai Gold Souk	AED 3–20/gram	Yes

Note: Branded jewellers occasionally run zero making charge promotions — particularly during Eid, Diwali and UAE National Day. Check their websites before visiting.

How to Calculate Your Total Gold Jewellery Cost

Total cost = (gold weight in grams × live gold rate per gram) + (gold weight × making charge per gram) + 5% VAT on making charges only.

Example: 10-gram 22K necklace at Gold Souk

Gold Content

10g × AED 480

= AED 4,800

Making Charge

10g × AED 7/gram

= AED 70

VAT (5% on making)

5% × AED 70

= AED 3.50

Total

AED 4,873.50

Use calculator for live rates

How to Negotiate Making Charges at the Gold Souk

Ask for the per-gram making charge upfront — before you select any piece. "What is your making charge per gram?" is the first question.
Check at least 3 shops before buying — making charges vary by AED 3–5/gram between adjacent shops for the same design type.
Buy multiple pieces together — jewellers will discount making charges on volume purchases.
Offer cash — some shops offer a small discount for cash payment.
Know the gold value first — use the gold calculator so you know exactly what the metal is worth. This prevents any inflation of the gold rate.
Don't mention your budget first — state the design you want and ask for the all-in price, then break it down.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are making charges for gold in Dubai? ▾

Making charges in Dubai are the jeweller's fee for crafting jewellery — charged per gram on top of the gold content price. They range from AED 3–8 per gram at the Gold Souk for simple designs to AED 20–35 per gram for intricate handmade pieces at branded jewellers. Making charges are negotiable at the Gold Souk but are semi-fixed at branded chains.

Are making charges the same at all Dubai gold shops? ▾

No. Making charges vary significantly — from AED 3/gram for simple machine-made chains at the Gold Souk to AED 35/gram for handmade antique-style pieces at upmarket boutiques. The gold content price is identical everywhere (set by DGJG) — only making charges differ. Always compare making charges across 2-3 shops before buying.

Can I negotiate making charges at the Dubai Gold Souk? ▾

Yes — making charges at the Gold Souk are negotiable. A reasonable ask is 10-20% off the initial quote, especially for larger purchases or multiple pieces. State your budget clearly: 'I want to spend AED X on gold — what making charge per gram can you offer?' Branded jewellers like Malabar Gold and Joyalukkas have less flexibility but sometimes run promotions with zero making charges.

Is VAT charged on making charges in Dubai? ▾

Yes — 5% UAE VAT applies to making charges on gold jewellery. The gold itself (at 22K, 24K etc.) is zero-rated for VAT. Your receipt should show the gold value (0% VAT) and making charges (5% VAT) separately. Tourists can claim a refund on the VAT paid on making charges at Dubai Airport departure using the Planet Payment system.

What is a wastage charge and is it different from making charges? ▾

Wastage charge is a separate fee some jewellers add — typically 3-12% of the gold weight — claiming it accounts for gold lost during the manufacturing process. Legitimate for handmade and intricate designs; often inflated or fabricated for machine-made pieces. Always ask if the quoted making charge includes wastage or if it's added separately. Reputable shops include any wastage in the per-gram making charge.