Nestled in the heart of downtown Amman is a series of narrow lanes that make up Amman’s Gold Souk. Also known as Souq El Sagha, this historical souk is the beloved domain of the city’s gold craftsmen, merchants and all those who love bling.
Arrive early in the day to browse undisturbed and to score a bargain. Some traders still follow the tradition of discounting the first sale of the day, for good luck.
Nobody really knows how many stores are part of the souk, but estimates indicate that there are more than a hundred stores in this maze-like part of the city. Enjoy the variety and elegance of the displayed pieces as you wander through the bustling souk. Intricate and delicate bracelets, rings, and necklaces of all shapes and sizes glisten on their displays, which can be hard to resist.
Treat yourself or a loved one to something unique by finding an artisan to make a custom piece of jewelry for you. Having your name written in Arabic script on a piece of existing jewelry is also a popular option to make your gift more personal.
Regarded as one of the cheapest places in the world to buy gold, you can get a great bargain here if you know what to look for. Do your homework and check the markings on the back of the jewelry to find out the purity of the gold.
Notice how the popular 22-carat gold has the bright yellowy-orange shine of high quality gold. Stronger but not quite as vibrant, 18-carat gold is often used for items studded with gemstones. Beware of the inferior “Russian gold” and if a price is too good to be true, it’s probably just that.
Watch at how the merchants weigh each piece of jewelry to determine its price. Feel free to haggle politely to get a better price but as you do so, also keep in mind that most items are sold by weight and purity with very little added for the work of the craftsman.
The Gold Souk is open daily and centrally located in the old downtown area. The entry streets to the Gold Souk are best reached on foot or by taxi.
