To outsiders, the UAE’s eager approach to wealth and its fascination with glitz is one of the region’s most intriguing traits. And while there is more to the Emirates than supercars and cheap diamonds the fact remains that, as one of the world’s great gold trading hubs, the UAE is the place to adorn yourself with riches.

If you do decide to invest in gold, don’t be fooled into stocking up on gold bars from one of UAE’s gold dispensers. It seems very gimmicky .A serious investor is not going to buy from a machine, it’s more of a tourist souvenir, especially when you consider where most of the machines are.The most common way to invest is probably by buying jewellery.

Gold bullion can be found at the gold souks and certain banks. You can start with a coin (some special UAE ones exist) costing less than Dhs1,000, a tiny bar of just an ounce, or move all the way up to massive bars weighing several kilos.Bullion should be kept in a bank vault, not in your house.’

The best time is when prices are low, so you must keep an eye on the market. But investors should also be aware of indicators which contribute to the fluctuating price of gold, including sentiment, governments buying to sell gold reserves and when equity prices are volatile.India may be the world’s biggest importer, but there is often little understanding as to why the UAE is one of the best places to buy gold. ‘It’s in part due to historical reasons and due to the sheer volume of trade here. Both Arabs and Indians have historically been keen on gold as an alternative to putting money in the bank,’ she says. ‘In many cultures it has been tradition for a woman to wear the family wealth, particularly before the advent of safe banking. Some traditions die hard.’