UAE jewellers set world record with largest gold frame of Sheikh Zayed, iconic landmarks

Two UAE jewellers have turned their passion and craftsmanship into a world record-breaking tribute to the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. They crafted a giant frame made entirely out of 21-karat gold, featuring a high-quality portrait of Sheikh Zayed surrounded by iconic landmarks from all seven emirates. 

This luxurious creation, which has now entered the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest gold frame, has been showcased at the 55th edition of the Middle East Watch and Jewellery Show, organised by Expo Centre Sharjah.

The idea was a collaboration between Golden Arabia Jewellery and Yogesh Jewellery Factory, a family-run business based in Sharjah since 1973. The golden frame is not for sale, rather, it’s a heartfelt piece that represents national pride, unity, and the deep love many residents feel for Sheikh Zayed. 

“This idea started out as a regular project,” said Nirmal Yogesh Kumar, a third-generation jeweller from Yogesh Jewellery Factory.

“But when we saw the final design and effort going into it, we realised this wasn’t something ordinary, it had the potential to break records. That’s when we approached Guinness World Records.”

The frame showcases detailed gold carvings of seven landmarks from different emirates, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Burj Khalifa, and the Quran Roundabout in Sharjah. It combines both matte and polished finishes to highlight the depth and texture of each monument. “The central photograph of Sheikh Zayed is printed in high resolution and set like a jewel within the frame.”

The team completed the project in three months. According to Nirmal, 30 skilled artisans worked 10 hours a day, five days a week, totaling more than 19,500 man-hours.

“The design and idea came from the owners of Golden Arabia Jewellery and our team, and our job was to bring their vision to life. It’s completely handmade, with only a few elements created through 3D printing for precision,” said Nirmal.

According to Ali Hasan Saleh Al Yafeai, owner of Golden Arabia Jewellery, the inspiration for this piece came after the Sharjah royal family visited the Golden Arabia pavilion during a previous exhibition. “They were impressed by a gold necklace shaped in Dubai’s Museum of the Future. They encouraged us to create something even more extraordinary for the next edition,” said Ali.

“That stayed with me. I didn’t want to create something just for business. I wanted to express what I feel for this country and for Baba Zayed. This frame is a tribute, and it’s not for sale. It doesn’t have a price tag, it’s priceless.”

Ali said that his entire family contributed to the concept and collaborated closely with the craftsmen at Yogesh Jewellery to make it a reality.

“It’s very heavy to lift, but my love for the father of the nation is heavier,” Ali said with emotion.

The makers said that this magnificent frame is not just an artistic marvel, it stands as a glowing symbol of the UAE’s unity, vision, and the enduring legacy of Sheikh Zayed.