Gold Rate & Value Calculator
Work out what your gold jewellery is actually worth in Dubai — by gram, tola or ounce — with making charges and VAT included.
Advanced — investment-grade bullion
Estimate only. Gold rates change daily (sometimes intra-day) and are not fetched live here — enter the actual rate shown at your jeweller or the Gold Souk board for an accurate figure. Making charges vary by retailer and design. VAT (5%) applies to retail jewellery on the full invoice (gold value + making charges); only business-to-business investment-grade bullion (99%+ purity, bar/coin form) is zero-rated.
Why the "VAT-free gold" reputation doesn't apply at the jewellery counter
Dubai's tax-friendly reputation for gold is real, but it's specific: investment-grade bullion — bars or coins at least 99% pure, traded between VAT-registered businesses — is zero-rated. Retail jewellery bought by a consumer is a different category entirely, and it's standard-rated at 5% VAT on the full invoice, gold value and making charges together, no matter how high the purity.
| What you're buying | VAT treatment |
|---|---|
| Jewellery — 18K, 21K, 22K, or worked 24K | 5% VAT on gold value + making charges |
| Bullion bars/coins, 99%+ purity, B2B trade | Zero-rated |
| Bullion bought retail by a consumer | 5% VAT still applies |
Gram, tola or ounce?
Grams are the standard unit on official rate boards. Tola (11.6638 grams) is still widely quoted in the Gold Souk given Dubai's large South Asian customer base. Troy ounces (31.1035 grams) show up mostly when comparing against international spot prices. Switch units above and the calculator converts automatically.
Making charges have no fixed rule — expect roughly 10–30% of the gold value depending on the design's complexity and the retailer. Always ask for them to be itemised separately on your invoice, and compare a few stores before a large purchase since the making charge, not the gold rate, is usually where prices actually differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the gold rate the same everywhere in Dubai?
Very close to it. The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group sets an official reference rate once a day, usually before 10am, and most Gold Souk and mall jewellers price off that same benchmark. What actually varies between shops is the making charge — the labour and design fee added on top of the gold value — so two identical-weight pieces can cost noticeably different amounts even on the same day.
Why do I pay VAT on gold jewellery if gold is supposed to be VAT-free in Dubai?
Dubai's "VAT-free gold" reputation applies specifically to investment-grade bullion — bars or coins of at least 99% purity, traded between VAT-registered businesses. Retail jewellery bought by a consumer, even a high-purity 22K or 24K piece, is standard-rated at 5% VAT on the entire invoice: the gold value and the making charges together. It is one of the most common misunderstandings at the jewellery counter.
What are "making charges" and how much should I expect to pay?
Making charges cover the labour, design and craftsmanship of turning raw gold into a finished piece, and they are added on top of the day's gold value. There is no fixed rule — they typically range from about 10% to 30% of the gold value depending on the complexity of the design and the retailer, with simple plain-band pieces at the low end and intricate handmade designs at the high end. Always ask for making charges to be itemised separately on your receipt.
Gram, tola or ounce — which does the Gold Souk actually use?
Grams are the standard unit on official rate boards and most modern invoices. Tola (a South Asian weight unit, equal to 11.6638 grams) is still very commonly quoted and used in the Gold Souk given Dubai's large South Asian expat and tourist customer base. Troy ounces (31.1035 grams) show up mainly when comparing against international spot-price benchmarks. This calculator lets you switch between all three.
Can tourists claim back the VAT on gold jewellery?
Yes — visitors can generally reclaim the 5% VAT paid on gold jewellery (and most retail goods) through the UAE's official Tax Refund for Tourists scheme, provided the purchase is made from a retailer registered in the scheme and the goods are exported unused. Minimum purchase thresholds and validation steps at the airport apply, so check the current rules and keep your tax invoice and the goods available for inspection before you fly out.
Is 24K jewellery available in Dubai, and is it a good idea for everyday wear?
Yes, 24K jewellery is sold in Dubai, mainly as bars, coins and some traditional heavy pieces, but pure gold is very soft and scratches, bends and wears down more easily than an alloy. 22K is the most popular purity for everyday jewellery in the UAE because it balances a high gold content with meaningfully better durability. 18K, mixed with more alloy, is the most scratch-resistant option and common in Western-style fine jewellery.