Globally recognised education offered in significant Middle East trade centre
A class of 10 students from eight different countries graduated from GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) first Graduate Diamonds Diploma programme in Dubai, a significant diamond trading centre in the Middle East. The graduates were recognized during a special ceremony which included AmitDhamani, a member of the GIA Board of Governors and CEO of Dhamani Jewels.

“People in the gem and jewelry industry are some of the most passionate people I know. It’s important to keep this passion alive and growing by continuing your education and keeping in touch with classmates through organizations like the GIA alumni association,” said Dhamani.

GIA’s experienced instructors, backed by decades of gemmolgical research, ensure that each student receives the same quality education, whether in New York, Hong Kong or Mumbai. In addition to classroom learning, the inaugural Dubai class received practical instruction during field trips to companies representing different parts of the industry, including Moreli Gems, CARA Jewels and the Russian Diamond Cutters factory.

“Supporting the gem and jewellery buying public across the world through education is essential to GIA’s mission, and offering the Graduate Diamonds programme in Dubai is yet another step in the journey to offer regionally-relevant education where ever it is needed,”saidNirupa Bhatt, managing director of GIA in India and Middle East.

GIA’s Graduate Diamonds Diploma is a seven-week programme that teaches students about the GIA-created 4Cs (Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight) of diamond quality and how to grade diamonds using the D-Z colour scale. Students learn to use gemmological equipment to grade and identify diamonds; find out how to detect synthetics, treatments, simulants and fracture-filled diamonds; and how to confidently speak the language of diamonds to suppliers, vendors and customers. The next course in Dubai is scheduled for April 2014.

The majority of the parcels offered, did not reflect a complete run-of-mine (or production footprint) of each individual mining operation. In other words, the composition of the goods did not represent a cross section of the goods range, from high to low quality, produced at any of the five mining operations. Overall, 89% of the goods offered consisted of low quality industrial goods. In general, goods weren't optimally cleaned, sorted and parcels were not ideally composed.

In addition to Dubai, GIA conducts courses at major trade centres in the Middle East including Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The Institute’s courses focus on diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, jewellery design and more.