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ShareBy Faten Omar
It all began two decades ago, when an Indian worker captivated the interest of Ameen Al-Qattan, a Kuwaiti goldsmith and managing director of a local gold shop, introducing him to the captivating world of gold craftsmanship. Despite the initial challenges he encountered, including financial losses and fraud, he remained resolute in his determination to pursue this path and hone his skills, eventually emerging as one of the most accomplished goldsmiths in Kuwait.
With pride, Qattan proclaimed, “I’m not an heir; I’m a hardworking man.” He recounted how he embarked on this journey from the ground up, entering a field he initially knew nothing about. He initiated his endeavor in a modest workshop, staffed by just four employees, armed with his first kilogram of gold purchased in 2003 at a cost of KD 4,050. Over time, he transformed his operation into specialized, fully-equipped gold workshops and established a retail store to showcase and sell his exquisite creations.
Ameen emphasized that crafting gold instills patience and acquaints one with the intricate nuances of the craft itself. Qattan pointed out that Kuwait isn’t an industrial powerhouse, and he believes that the government should offer more support to individuals keen on cultivating and advancing such industries. Qattan spoke of his dedication to mastering the intricacies of goldsmithing, from uncovering the secrets of the craft to becoming proficient with specialized machinery and tools, as well as the art of designing molds.
“Despite the inherent risks and occasional setbacks in the gold trade, passion has been my guiding force,” he revealed. “It’s heartening that in the realm of gold, 80 percent of the capital invested is safeguarded.” As for the stages involved in crafting gold, he explained: “The gold-making process begins by carefully weighing the gold to be worked on, followed by a precise calculation to determine the necessary mixture with copper or silver, depending on the desired karat. Next, the gold is melted at a scorching 1,150 degrees in a specialized furnace.
Subsequently, the piece is cooled, polished, its thickness measured, excess weight trimmed, and finally, the currency image is imprinted using a press machine.” Qattan disclosed that these steps are contingent on the design and the karat of gold being created. Some designs can be quite costly, especially if they are fabricated using specialized machinery or crafted by hand. He explained that certain designs rely on 3D technology for molding and can take a minimum of 10 hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the design.
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Qattan observed that it marked a peak in the gold market, driven by people’s desire to invest in precious metals and indulge in luxury commodities while confined to their homes during lockdowns. He noted that Kuwait largely relies on gold imports, with only 25 percent of workshops dedicated to crafting gold pieces. “Most traders import from Dubai’s free zone, which serves as a hub for Indian, Turkish, Italian and other gold varieties.
Personally, I prefer crafting gold coins and preserving traditional Kuwaiti gold designs,” Qattan emphasized. He clarified that his designs can be categorized into two segments: B2B (business-to-business), where some creations are supplied to other stores in Kuwait, and B2C (business-to-consumer), which includes customized designs tailored to individual customer requests.
