NYT: In the Middle East, Jewelers See Their Brightest Prospect
In the Press
11·11·2026
THE NEW YORK TIMES - JAN 25, 2026
A traditional love of gems enhanced by the younger generation’s interest in distinctive design has put the region at the top of the jewelry industry’s list for growth potential.
On a clear December evening at a beach resort in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Sotheby’s staged a series of luxury auctions that provided a glimpse of the house’s future in the region.
Among the items on the block that night was the Desert Rose, a 31.68-carat pear-shaped diamond with a distinctive orangy-pink hue, not unlike the evening’s sunset.
At Aubade, a fine jewelry retailer in Kuwait that was among the first in the region to introduce local consumers to independent, design-led brands such as Spinelli Kilcollin, Fernando Jorge and Anita Ko, the perpetual desire for adornment is on full display as the store prepares for Ramadan next month.
“Obviously, we observe a religious aspect of fasting, but it’s almost like 30 days of Christmas,” said Duha AlRamadhan, Aubade’s founder and chief executive, who joined the call from Kuwait. “It’s 30 days of family dinners and family gatherings. We dress in these beautiful, elaborate caftans and with caftans, you need to accessorize.”
