Dubai just made testing your gold and jewellery a whole lot easier. The Dubai Central Laboratory, part of Dubai Municipality, has launched the Smart Gold and Jewellery Testing Lab, the first-ever fully automated device that can check the purity of gold, silver, and platinum, all without human help. And the best part? Results come back in under 60 seconds.

Unveiled at GITEX Global 2025, this cutting-edge innovation uses AI, X-ray tech, and advanced spectroscopy to deliver highly accurate readings. It’s designed to make life simpler for traders, buyers, and jewellery enthusiasts, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for precious metals.

How It Works – Quick, Smart, and Totally Hands-Free

The device is entirely autonomous. That means no staff intervention, no waiting around, and minimal room for error. It’s smart enough to self-calibrate, monitor its own performance remotely, and respond instantly to any issues. According to Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafi, Acting CEO of Dubai Municipality’s Environment, Health, and Safety Agency, this is a “game-changer” for precision, speed, and reliability in the precious metals sector.

Where You Can Try It First

The first device will be installed at the iconic Gold Souk in Deira, with plans to roll it out across other key locations in Dubai. This move is part of Dubai Municipality’s push to create a fully integrated testing ecosystem for gold and jewellery, ensuring quality, compliance, and peace of mind for everyone, from traders to shoppers.

Whether you’re a collector, a trader, or just curious about the purity of your jewellery, this smart lab makes checking your gold fast, easy, and reliable.

Gold prices in Dubai continued to fall on Thursday morning, dropping nearly Dh10 per gram in just 24 hours as global rates slipped below $3,200 an ounce.

According to Dubai Jewellery Group, 24K gold was trading at Dh378.5 per gram, down from Dh388.25 the previous day, a drop of Dh9.55.

Other gold categories saw similar declines:

• 22K fell to Dh350.5 per gram (down Dh9.25)
• 21K dropped to Dh336.5 per gram
• 18K was at Dh288 per gram

Shoppers Still Waiting

Even with the noticeable price dip, many gold buyers in the UAE are still holding back. They’re hoping prices will slide further,  possibly to around Dh340 per gram, similar to what was seen in March.

Burned by Past Price Surges

Over the past year, gold has seen several short-term dips that made shoppers believe a bigger correction was coming. But in most cases, prices bounced back within a day or two, often reaching new highs. This seems to have made buyers more cautious.

Summer Promotions May Help

If gold prices stay soft, retailers are expected to launch new promotions ahead of the summer holidays, potentially cutting prices by another Dh3–Dh5 per gram through special discounts.

But for now, the big question remains: Will gold fall below Dh350 per gram and bring shoppers back?

Gold prices in Dubai opened above Dh400 per gram on Thursday, bouncing back after falling by more than Dh20 earlier in the week.

Here’s how much different types of gold were selling for on Thursday morning:

• 24K: Dh400.50 per gram
• 22K: Dh371 per gram
• 21K: Dh355.75 per gram
• 18K: Dh305 per gram

This follows a rollercoaster week where gold briefly hit a record high of Dh420 per gram on Tuesday before dropping sharply.

What’s Happening Globally?

Globally, gold was trading at $3,327 per ounce, up by 1.27%. Prices had soared earlier due to economic uncertainty and global tensions, but dipped after former US President Donald Trump said he wouldn’t replace Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell.

What’s Next for Gold?

Despite the recent ups and downs, experts still expect prices to rise. JP Morgan predicts that gold could hit $4,000 per ounce by mid-2026, driven by geopolitical tensions, global trade issues, and central banks increasing their gold reserves. They estimate the metal will average $3,675 per ounce by the end of this year.

Jewellery Demand Drops

While prices are up, demand for gold jewellery has slowed as shoppers hold off on big purchases. On the other hand, many residents are choosing to sell their gold to cash in on the high prices.