Articles
Exclusive articles about gold, silver, oil and investing in Gulf markets.
Gold as a Safe Haven: Lessons from the 2008 and 2020 Crises
What makes gold a safe haven, how its price behaved in the 2008 crash and the 2020 pandemic, why it can fall when panic peaks, and where the idea stops working.
Gold Price History: Key Milestones from 35 to Over 3,000 Dollars
From the fixed 35-dollar ounce of the Bretton Woods era to the 1980 peak, the 1999–2001 lows and the records of 2011, 2020 and 2025, with a milestones table.
Where Does Gold Come From? From the Mine to the Bar
How gold forms, how it is mined in open pits, underground and in rivers, how ore becomes a refined bar, and where most of the world’s gold comes from today.
What Is LBMA Good Delivery? Accredited Gold Bars Explained
What an LBMA-accredited bar really means: the Good Delivery list, the 400-ounce bar, small retail bars, serial numbers and assay cards, and why it matters when you sell.
Gold or Silver for Saving? A Practical Comparison for Small Savers
How gold and silver compare for small savers in the Gulf: price swings, storage space, dealer spreads, VAT and how easy each is to sell when you need cash.
The Gold-to-Silver Ratio Explained: How to Read and Use It
What the gold-to-silver ratio measures, how to work it out yourself, where it has stood through history, how some savers use it and why it is no guarantee.
Buying Silver in the UAE: Purity, Bars, Coins and Jewellery
What to know before buying silver in the UAE: 999 fine versus 925 sterling, bars, coins and jewellery, why making charges run high, VAT and tarnish care.
Platinum and Palladium: Uses, Prices and How to Buy Them
A plain guide to platinum and palladium: what they are used for, why supply is concentrated in two countries, why platinum trades below gold and how to buy.
Gold ETFs vs Physical Gold: Costs, Custody and Risks Compared
How gold exchange-traded funds work, what they really cost, who holds the metal, and how they compare with bars and coins for savers in the UAE and the Gulf.
Digital Gold Apps: What to Check Before You Sign Up
How gold-savings apps work, allocated versus unallocated holdings, licensing, spreads and fees, delivery, and what happens to your gold if the company fails.
Gold Coins Guide: Sovereigns, Krugerrands, Eagles and Maple Leafs
Bullion or collectible? The specifications of the sovereign, Krugerrand, Gold Eagle and Maple Leaf, how coin premiums work, and how to store gold coins safely.
Gold Bar Sizes and Premiums: From 1 Gram to the Kilo Bar
The gold bar sizes sold in the UAE, from 1 g up to 10-tola and kilo bars, why the premium per gram falls as bars get bigger, and minted versus cast bars.
About these articles
Practical guides in plain language to help you understand gold, silver and oil prices in the Gulf: how prices are calculated, karats, making charges and tax, zakat, and buying and selling tips. Content is educational and is not investment advice.