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Omani Gold

NOTHING can stem the Omani obsession for gold. With its lasting beauty, versatility and re-sale vale, gold is one of the most popular metals used for jewellery. Oman is a shopper’s paradise for gold jewellery, and the souq in Muttrah is the best place to discover the charm and variety of traditional gold jewellery.

Over one hundred gold shops line the narrow, bending lanes of Muscat’s most famous souq, offering unparalleled choice to shoppers when it comes to traditional gold jewellery. The designs range from the old to the new and consistently reflect the imagination of the artists and craftsmen who have produced them.


A glance at the shop displays reveals the mantra of the gold shops in Muttrah: big is beautiful. Glass windows showcase intricate designs of the bright yellow metal, fabulously fashioned into necklaces, earrings, bangles, rings and extravagant headpieces.

The gold jewellery available in the souq is mainly from Oman, Singapore, India, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and large pieces visibly dominate the collections. “Most Omani shoppers usually prefer locally made jewellery and Omani designs,” says Raheel Ikram, of Shahid Jewellery. “Local customers are particularly concerned about getting the cheapest rate, and as Omani jewellery is locally made, it is therefore the most reasonably priced.”

Bahraini and Saudi jewellery is similar to the local designs. Dina Al Balushi, a customer from Bahrain who was busy scanning jewellery explained: “There is not much difference between Omani and Bahraini jewellery in terms of design, but essentially one tends to find variety in a new place, as I can spot some designs here that I have not come across in Bahrain.”

The activity in the gold shops indicates that it is currently a busy season. Adil Saleh’s family has been in the gold business for many years, and his father owned one of the first few gold shops in the souq. “The best time for gold sales in the souq are usually from June to August,” he says. “This is the time when schools are closed, and it is also wedding season.”

Other gold shop enclaves, such as the new Gold Mall in Ruwi have so far had no effect on the activity and business in Muttrah Souq. “We have over one hundred shops here, in one souq. Where else can you find that in Oman?” questions Adil.

“There is an amazing variety of gold jewellery here. The workshops are also very close by, so that any repair work or polishing can be done on the spot or in very little time, much to the convenience of customers. It is virtually impossible to find that kind of service in a modern mall.”

Gold jewellery makes a lasting and beautiful gift. Traditionally Arab jewellery is usually rather large and bulky, especially that worn in weddings, and providing the best in this type of jewellery is the forte of the Muttrah gold shops. For weddings in particular, the preferred jewellery is heavy gold. This includes intricate gold mufraqs or headpieces which can cost anywhere between three hundred and five hundred rials.

Khalid, who works in a sprawling shop that has been in the souq for over thirty six years, maintains that the forte of the Muttrah Souq is to sell traditional gold jewellery.

“The souq doesn't carry much white gold unlike other gold shops, simply because there isn't much demand for it,” he says. “We cater to a more traditional, local crowd. Very few people buy white gold. Occasionally, the younger Omani girls might ask for white gold for their wedding rings, but the demand here doesn't exceed that.”

As the busy summer season comes to a close, those in the gold business are expecting a quiet few months ahead, with business picking up just before Eid Al Fitr. And, as is the norm here, December and January will bring back holidays along with the wedding season, and have Muttrah’s gold shops alive with shoppers once again.