Why Dubai has earned the 'City of Gold' title
Dubai isn't known as the city of gold for nothing. The emirate has definitely earned the moniker and sets the standard - gold standard, if you will - in all that glitters.
From gold tattoos to 24-carat gold facials, Dubai offers more than just jewellery to fans of the yellow metal.
"A real gold tattoo makes jewellery seem so yesterday," said a fashion-conscious party person whom this correspondent recently spotted in a party with the temporary gold tattoo. Gold lovers in Dubai can head to Assawan Spa & Health Club at Burj Al Arab, which offers gold and platinum tattoos.
The concept of these bejewelled tattoos emerged in Japan, where 99 per cent gold and platinum foils were applied on the skin, and the whole application process takes around 10 minutes only.
"As of now we are the only spa offering such tattoos. As of now, we don't have many clients because it's so new. We have both local residents and tourists as our clients. The starting range is Dh395 for small sized ones and for medium sized tattoos it normally costs Dh495. There is no specific cost of the tattoos as it depends on the lady who does it. She is the one who can give the quote depending on the kind of tattoo the client wants," an executive at the appointment desk of Assawan Spa & Health Club told Emirates 24|7.
Unlike the gold tattoos, which became available in Dubai only recently, the 24-carat gold facial and massage have been available for a while. Such luxury beauty treatments are gaining popularity in the city and women can get rubbed both on the face and the body for a special look combined with oodles of pampering.
The Sisters Beauty Lounge in the city is one of the few places in the world that offer the glow of real gold. "Our gold facials and full body massages are very popular. Most women in Dubai work and they don't mind spending on such treatments," Jhoy Vergara, manager of Sisters Beauty Lounge at Midriff City Centre told this website.
Luxury does not come cheap and the facials are pricey but the benefits are said to be the slowing down of collagen depletion and stimulation of cell growth as well as lightening of age spots. "Our starting cost is Dh1200 and we charge Dh500 for follow-up visits. On an average we get 15 to 20 clients every month," added Vergara.
But Dubai's bond with gold doesn't begin with either the tattoos or the facial. It dates back centuries and its denizens, who consume more gold per capita than anywhere else in the world, are as much responsible for the city's moniker as are the numerous tourists that visit it every year.
Emirates 24|7 brings some more amazing gold facts about Dubai:
Amazing Gold Facts about Dubai
. Per capita gold bought every year of 34 grammes, more than an ounce (31.1g), is the highest in the world
. More than two thirds of the population buys gold at least once a year
. 48% of all gold is for gifting
. 28% is for self
. 95% of all tourists buy gold
. On an average every person buys five pieces of gold jewellery every year
. Each piece is worth $400 on average, so the average yearly spend is $2,000
. 76% of all Dubai residents own gold
. 80% intend to buy gold in the next year
. 90% of the jewellery market is plain gold jewellery (as against 10% gemset)
. 90% of all jewellery in Dubai is imported
. Imports come from Saudi, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Bahrain
. Dubai is the Middle East supply hub for the jewellery market.
. 95% of all jewellery sold is above 21 karat; the rest is 18 karat
. Dubai has over 600 shops, the densest concentration in the world
. Dubai's Gold Souk has 275-plus shops in a half a square kilometre area.
. At any given time over 25 tonnes of gold is on display in jewellery shop windows
. Jewellery is sold on gold price plus making charges unlike in the West, where it is per piece
. Dubai is the world's second largest redistributor of bullion; it imports 360 tonnes and re-exports almost all of it (350 tonnes)
. Dubai made the world's longest gold chain during DSF 99. The chain was made in 22k gold and measured 4.2kms. 9,600 people bought the chain in neckwear and bracelet size pieces.