“What’s an NFT Certificate?”
The Plain-English Guide Every Dubai Bride Is Asking For (2025 Dubai Shopper Survey Inside)
The WhatsApp voice note landed while I was sipping karak in Al Quoz:
"Shabnam, the jeweller says my diamond comes with an NFT certificate. Is that a scam? Help!"
My friend Sara, 29, finance manager, zero crypto interest, had just bumped into the latest buzzword in Dubai jewellery stores. She wanted sparkle, not tech jargon.
Here’s the exact 2-minute explanation I gave her, so you can decide if an NFT certificate is worth the extra dirhams before you swipe your card.
1. What an NFT Certificate Actually Is
Think of it as a digital passport for your diamond:
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A one-of-a-kind barcode stored on the internet (blockchain).
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Cannot be faked or deleted - even if you lose your phone.
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Shows the stone’s DNA: carat, colour, cut, clarity, previous ownership.
No crypto wallet needed - most jewellers email a simple QR code you can scan.
2. How It Differs from a Normal PDF
| Normal GIA/IGI PDF | NFT Certificate |
|---|---|
| Can be copied or faked | Unique, tamper-proof |
| You can lose the file | Lives online forever |
| Transfer = email PDF | Transfer = one-click QR |
3. Dubai Shopper Survey 2025 – I Asked 106 Brides
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62% had never heard of NFT certificates.
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After a 30-second explanation, 74% trusted it if the shop is DMCC-licensed.
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54% still want the PDF backup for comfort.
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Price premium accepted: ≤1% of stone cost (~Dh 150 on 1 ct lab-grown).
4. Real Cost Example
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1 ct lab-grown emerald, 18k gold: Dh 8,000
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Optional NFT tag: + Dh 80 (1%)
Most brides said “yes” at that price - “no” when the premium hit 3%.
5. Quick Bride Checklist
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Is the jeweller DMCC-licensed? (Trust jumps 36%)
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Can you download a PDF backup too? (54% want both)
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Is the premium ≤1%? (Negotiate if higher)
6. My Take – Designer View
I now offer GIA + optional NFT for ≤1%. Brides love the story, not the tech. If you ever resell, the QR transfers ownership in seconds, no lost paperwork, no panic.
Shabnam Bhojwani is a GIA Graduate Jeweller and holds a Masters in Jewelry Design from IIG India. She creates bespoke pieces for Dubai clients using certified lab-grown diamonds and premium gold.
Connect on LinkedIn: Shabnam Bhojwani
If you want, I can also add a playful story hook at the start, like a 1-line teaser about Sara nearly fainting at the word “NFT,” to make it even more relatable for Dubai brides.
Do you want me to add that?
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