In the heart of Rabat's old town, you can find a multitude of jewelry stores offering a diverse collection of traditional and modern jewelry.
Jeweler Abdellatif Alaoui has been working in this field since 1992.
He displays a selection of traditional pieces on his counter. Each one is carefully crafted, with refined details and embellishments.
You'll find brooches with traditional designs, as well as a wide variety of bracelets and rings. Other items include belts and earrings.
The different models cater to all tastes.
They are usually bought for special occasions and celebrations, including weddings, engagements, and christening ceremonies.
These clothes are most often worn by women.
These modern creations display a very contemporary style and are much more affordable than traditional jewelry.
Abdellatif's collections appeal to both buyers looking for a piece of jewelry and those more interested in solid gold jewelry for investment purposes.
“There are both traditional and modern gold jewelry designs. Traditional jewelry is characterized by its large size and numerous decorations, which attract customers. As for modern designs, they are generally preferred by young people, as they feature lighter details, smaller shapes and contemporary styles, while also being more affordable,” explains Abdellatif Alaoui.
There is a constant flow of customers, both inside and outside the stores, looking at and comparing prices before buying.
This demonstrates the continued interest of Moroccans in gold, both in traditional terms and as a safe investment.
The price of gold has risen significantly over the past six months.
The price of 24-carat gold has risen from 120 to 170 euros per gram, while that of 18-carat gold has risen from 110 to 150 euros per gram, according to Mohammed Jbara, president of the Association of Traditional Gold and Silver Craftsmen of Rabat.
Jbara believes that the rise in the price of gold has led to a change in customers' buying habits.
There is a growing demand for traditional models that contain more gold and fewer precious stones, or even none at all.
It is considered a way to preserve one's assets or to profit from new price increases.
"Ten years ago, the price of gold did not exceed 30 euros per gram, but today it has increased considerably, well beyond expectations. This has encouraged people to buy it, as they see it as an investment and an effective way to put their money aside and preserve it," explains Jbara.
In the workshop of Hassan Gounzi, a jewelry craftsman specializing in gold and silver, 24-carat gold is weighed before being transformed into 18-carat gold.
Precise proportions of silver and copper are added to ensure the strength of the metal and the quality of the finished parts.
The gold is melted with silver and copper, then passed through a machine to be flattened before the different designs are cut out.
The handcrafted production of gold jewelry requires great precision.
“By respecting all these steps, we obtain a well-finished model,” explains Hassan Gounzi.
The designs are hand-drawn onto the gold, then fixed onto a gold leaf. Precise holes are then drilled, which the craftsman follows to cut out the gold using simple hand tools.
The precision of each step is essential to ensure that the final product is perfect and ready to be displayed.
The time required to make each piece can vary from three hours to twenty days, depending on its shape and size.
Once the design is complete, the parts are polished and washed using a solution.
Gpunzi has observed a change in the products that are selling.
“Since the rise in the price of gold in recent months, demand for gold has decreased, except among those who wish to put their money aside. To do this, they tend to buy traditional gold. As for jewelry with modern designs, mainly intended for decoration, demand has fallen,” he explains.
Purchasing preferences vary by region.
In the north, gold is preferred, while in the south, silver tends to be preferred.
At weddings, gold is given to the bride, whose status rises according to the amount of gold she receives from the groom.
