{
  "id": 18887393,
  "title": "Dubai prayer beads sell for Dh235,000, rare pieces worth $1 million go on display",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/dubai-prayer-beads-sell-for-dh235-000-rare-pieces-worth-1-million-go",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T06:53:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/dubai-prayer-beads-sell-for-dh235000-rare-pieces-worth-1-million-go-on-display-1.500740104"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai: A set of antique German prayer beads fetched Dh235,000 at the Dubai Rosary Exhibition 2026, marking the highest sale reported so far. Weighing around 100 grams, the beads feature 33 strands, each ranging between 17 and 17.5 millimeters in length. The exhibition, held from November 6 to 8, gathered collectors, traders, and enthusiasts from around the globe, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and China. Rare prayer beads worth over $1 million also took center stage at the event. Among the highlights is a set of Faturan prayer beads, more than 120 years old, and a German amber piece from 1880, valued at approximately $1 million. Other notable items include an amber necklace from Queen Victoria's reign, priced at more than $250,000, and amber prayer beads reaching up to $126,000. The high prices reflect the rarity, age, color, size, condition, quality, and craftsmanship of the pieces. Amber has long been used in jewelry and prayer bead production, making certain items valuable collectibles for antique enthusiasts and investors. The Dh235,000 sale exemplifies how some prayer beads have transitioned from their traditional purpose to becoming highly sought-after treasures. The UAE-hosted exhibition not only showcased luxury collections and rare materials but also served as a platform for international companies to connect with collectors, buyers, and investors. Organizers noted that Dubai's first-ever hosting of the event creates new opportunities for the prayer bead trade, solidifying the city's position as a global hub for the sector.",
  "summary": "Dubai: A set of antique German prayer beads has sold for Dh235,000 at the Dubai Rosary Exhibition 2026, the highest sale reported at the event so far. The prayer beads, weighing approximately 100 grams, comprise 33 beads, each measuring between 17 and 17.5 millimetres, making them relatively large. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here. The sale comes…",
  "key_points": [
    "Antique German prayer beads sold for Dh235,000 at Dubai Rosary Exhibition 2026",
    "Rare Faturan prayer beads, over 120 years old, displayed at the event",
    "Amber necklace from Queen Victoria's reign valued at over Dh250,000"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}