Gold Market Fluctuations Stir Uncertainty Among Lebanese Jewellers Amid Economic Turmoil
Beirut, Lebanon — Gold prices jump and fall. Prices hit $5,595 and drop near $4,600 per ounce in early 2026. Lebanese jewellers stand confused. They face hard shifts as Lebanon’s financial crisis grows.
A Historic Safe Haven Facing New Volatility
For years, gold kept value safe for many Lebanese. Investors kept cash in gold when banks broke and the lira fell over 90 percent. Gold stayed near as a steady choice.
Jeweller Simon Bouri calls the moves “crazy.” He points out a day saw a 20-percent swing. His peer, Aziz Arida, who also trades wheat, sees a kind of market shock. He compares this time to a past time of great loss, like in 1986. No single cause explains the wild swing. Some mention shifts in world money and a strong US dollar. Others say the drop fits a market fix after high values.
Political and Economic Turmoil Adds Unrest
Lebanese jewellers link these sharp moves to global events. US politics shake up and new tariffs stir the market. Pressure on the Federal Reserve and rising ties in the Middle East shake price views. A jeweller, who spoke without name, joked, “Go ask Trump.” His words echo local doubt over unseen market pushes.
In gold trade shops, risk shows clear. Simon tells of buyers who want to sell at a price he cannot safely meet. He asks, “What if I buy and then see a 10 or 20 percent fall?” Such doubt makes some pause in buying.
Impact on Lebanese Economy and Public Trust
Lebanon’s deep money problems bite hard. Bank limits and low local cash make gold a key tool to save money. Families who once depended on nearly $6 billion yearly from abroad now see gold as their guard.
The country mulls a law to help those who cannot access bank funds. Trust in banks remains low. Pessimism fits the gold trade as people weigh a quick sell against a feared drop.
Economist Khodr, also a jeweller in Beirut, sums up by saying, “Nobody understands this.” He sees efforts to grasp the moves, yet sales shrink.
Looking Ahead: Mixed Forecasts and Investor Caution
Money experts split on gold’s next step. Some from JP Morgan see a 30 percent rise later in 2026 due to ongoing risks and steady price pushes. Many local jewellers see no clear reason in these wild moves.
Aziz says, “There’s no logic.” He sees swings that do not match the cost of mining or refining. This split from real value leaves many wary of relying on gold for safe money.
Traditional Assets in a Changing World
Lebanon’s case shows the hard steps for those with old assets. Politics, economy, and new tech test old ideas. Gold once held firm in hard times, yet these fast shifts make its strength seem weak.
As traders adjust to change, Lebanon’s gold trade shows how old assets meet new doubt in a small world.
