Life & Style | People
Gold wave
Happy memories, a sense of security, a feel-good factor ... gold jewellery evokes different emotions in people. Five women open their treasure trove of emotional wealth.
- By Suchitra Bajpai Chaudhary , Carolina D'Souza and Ritu Raizada, Staff Writers
- Published: 00:30 February 15, 2008
- Some treasure gold jewellery because they love it. A few even save to purchase an expensive piece.
- Image Credit:
Happy memories, a sense of security, a feel-good factor ... gold jewellery evokes different emotions in people. Five women open their treasure trove of emotional wealth to share their relationship with this yellow metal.
Krista Gouri
Canadian Consultant in a Dubai-based finance company
When Krista was younger, the sparkle of gold jewellery radiated aestheticism more than monetary value. "I liked shiny gold, but it [gold jewellery] wasn't important. My family, especially mum and aunts, didn't wear much of it," she says.
This minimalist trend is anchored in Canadian culture, where women tend to wear light and simple jewellery. Another reason for choosing light gold jewellery is cost. "Apart from cultural influences, gold prices are much higher in Canada than in the UAE," says Krista, who moved from Toronto to Dubai a year ago.
One of the most valuable pieces she owns is a '60s gold ring set with a black precious stone. "My mother bequeathed it to me at my high school graduation. I was very happy. It represents more than just gold. It was given to my mother by her mum during her graduation! I also love its vintage design," she says.
Krista believes gold jewellery represents status, but more importantly, it reflects an individual's values. "I rarely assess a person's socio-economic status by the gold jewellery [she wears]. Some treasure gold jewellery because they love it. A few even save to purchase an expensive piece. This doesn't define their purchasing power, rather it speaks of their love for gold," she says.
It was however her marriage to Sonny, an Indian, that gave a fillip to her love for gold jewellery. "My relationship with gold jewellery changed drastically after marriage," she says.
Gold jewellery is part of Indian tradition, and enjoys a groundswell of popularity, especially during marriage.
Krista received several pieces of gold jewellery from Sonny's family and friends. And although heavy gold jewellery is not her style she has grown to appreciate it. "It is a sort of acculturation. My husband appreciates gold jewellery and has bought gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Now that we are in Dubai, he finds it much easier because there is so much more choices. In fact, I even spend time browsing stores in Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai and in the Deira Gold Souq," she says.
Krista wears gold jewellery almost every day, usually a pair of simple earrings and her wedding and engagement rings. "I also enjoy [collecting] uncommon modern pieces. I pick up pieces of gold jewellery when I am holidaying. Recently, I bought myself jewellery from Tahiti and the Caribbean islands."
She says she may pay up to Dh10,000 for a piece, but still doesn't look at it from an investor's point of view. "I would purchase a particular piece for its design and if it complements my sense of style. I rarely think of resale value."
Carina Bou Assi
Lebanese Counter manager, La Mer, Harvey Nichols, Dubai
"Look what I am wearing," used to be Carina's refrain whenever she went to school wearing a new piece of jewellery. "I must have been around 9 or 10. I would gambol my way to my group of girlfriends to show my newly acquired bracelet, necklace or earrings," she says, recollecting her childish capers.
"My friends would tell me how lucky I was or how happy they were for me. [Of course], those resplendent gold pieces inspired jealousy among some of them," she says.
The gifts Carina received marked occasions ranging from birthdays, family weddings, festivals such as Christmas and Easter and traditional Lebanese feasts. "My parents, grandmother, uncles, aunts and close family friends would always gift in gold," she says. Those sparkling trinkets that used to elicit innocent responses now enjoy a different status.
"I appreciate the value of gold a lot more today. Also, it is a Lebanese custom to gift in gold. It is considered an ideal gift for a newborn as well as for a married couple. I believe the value of gold will never deteriorate. Also it is known for its durability and its status as an asset," she says.
Carina tries to invest at least Dh15,000 every year in gold jewellery. "Gold jewellery will always represent value for money," she says.
One of her favourite pieces is a white gold necklace set in diamonds given to her by her husband, Eliano, at their wedding three years ago. Since then every year she has received an item in gold as an anniversary gift.
"My mother gave me a beautiful gold bracelet set in heart-shaped sapphires. I don't wear it too often in case I lose it!" she says.
Carina prefers small-set delicate pieces of Italian gold for everyday wear. "For a dressier occasion, I wear something more intricate," she says.
For her, a brand does not represent value. She would rather pick jewellery that looks worth its cost. "I look for craftsmanship and quality. I like uniqueness in design. I also like to pair a simplistic piece with an intricately designed piece," she says.
Shopping for gold is not a planned exercise for her. "I am impulsive. I may spot a jewellery store, decide to walk in and walk out buying something I like!" she says.
Shivani Goel
Indian Homemaker
Shivani has not only inherited beautiful pieces of period jewellery from her mother and mother-in-law but also loves to buy ornate jewels which she considers akin to investing in fine art.
"In our community, gold is not only worn as an ornament to enhance beauty but is an important part of wealth bequeathed to a daughter during her wedding," she says.
"Gold is usually worn only down to the waist.'' Why only till the waist? "We believe that gold represents prosperity and therefore should be treated with respect; on the feet and legs we wear silver jewellery.
Shivani, who has two daughters, is in the midst of hectic preparations for the wedding of her eldest daughter. "My daughters are not going to need this elaborate kind of jewellery, but I am determined to adapt the designs to suit their tastes."
Shivani, a jewellery buff, has a taste for ornamental and quaint pieces of jewellery. "I am not very fond of new designs that are machine-made. I would rather wear diamond jewellery or abstract geometric designs. But whenever I step out in a sari or get ready for a traditional festival, I love to wear traditional gold jewellery that I inherited or bought over the years. Many of the designs I have are no longer available in the market. These were jewellery sets that belonged to my grandmother and are about 150 years old."
When it comes to buying jewellery today, she prefers customising or adapting one of her own traditional pieces to suit her taste. "For instance, I had a beautiful armband with an intricate design, I adapted it to be worn like a choker around the neck and asked a jeweller to make a pair of earrings and bracelets in the same design. I am doing the same for my daughter's wedding. I will ask the craftsmen in India to adapt a piece that I have, follow its design and add more pieces to make a set.
"I feel jewellery is worn to make a fashion statement and should express a woman's personality. At least I try to do that with my jewellery."
Angela Summers
British PR Consultant, Middle Youth J PR, Dubai
"I adore gold, especially rose gold, unless it is with diamonds, in which case I prefer white gold to set off the sparkle. Wearing jewellery makes me feel well dressed and gives me the confidence to face anything. In fact, if my friends see me without jewellery, they wonder if I am all right!
"Ideally, I prefer to have gold jewellery gifted to me, because then it acquires sentimental value and wearing it rekindles special memories.
"I buy a piece of gold jewellery if it catches my eye – mostly dainty, elegant pieces. In England, unlike in the UAE, designs are limited and most of the jewellery is in 9 or 18 carat. I prefer 18 carat. I have some jewellery which is made with 22 carat gold, some even with 24 carat which has been mounted into a bracelet and matching earrings.
"Most of the time, buying a piece of jewellery is a matter of impulse. For instance, I have a filigree-style ring with lots of tiny diamonds. I was rushing past a jewellery shop in the Gold Souq and it caught my eye. And I knew I had to buy it! I wear it every day,'' says Angela.
"When it comes to jewellery, I love to go window shopping. I have a few favourite stores.
"Personally, I prefer small, understated pieces, sometimes unusual designs or patterns but nothing really garish ... eye-catching but not one that screams "look at me", mainly because in England, if the jewellery is really bright, it is considered fake. Usually, we don't wear jewellery sets where every piece matches in design.
"While I was holidaying in Malaysia last year, I found a pretty scalloped necklace that is "reversible" with yellow gold on one side and white gold on the other. That is my favourite piece at the moment. I believe I am quite conservative in my taste as I like items that are classic.
"Much of my jewellery was given to me as gifts and so they hold a lot of sentimental value to me. I would not part with them easily, unless I desperately needed money,'' she says.
Hind Zoubeir
Moroccan Marketing executive at Zari Zardozi, Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi
"I love wearing gold, especially yellow gold. To me, gold can never go out of style and I love to wear it every day. In fact I purchase gold whenever I have the means to do so. I do not need a reason or season to buy it for myself. Its karatage and price are also immaterial. All that matters is its design. If I like a piece, I buy it, simple. When I have the time, I love to go to the souq to see what's new. I am also on the mailing lists of various jewellery stores. They send me their catalogues regularly and keep me updated about their various promotional offers as well.
"I love to buy gold not only for myself but as gifts as well. There are very few jewellery brands which offer diamond and precious stones designs which are not so expensive. I especially look out for these pieces as they are ideal for everyday officewear. It is important for me to wear gold to work because it adds a certain sophisticated look,'' says Hind.
"I do not like to exchange my old jewellery for new ones simply because all my jewellery pieces have a sentimental value associated with them. In fact, I've still got my mother's and grandmother's jewellery. The designs are simple and very unique."
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