New initiative coincides with Gem-A's centenary celebrations, Programme to educate cultural tourists and pearl enthusiasts about pearls and their fundamental place in region's heritage

Dubai, 11 November 2008: Recognising the importance of Dubai's pearling heritage the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A), is collaborating with the Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) to develop a comprehensive education programme for Natural Pearls.  The course is being offered as part of Gem-A's centenary celebrations of its one hundred years of gemmological education.

The comprehensive curriculum on natural pearls - with 15 subject areas - will be conducted in Dubai by the Dubai Pearl Exchange and will provide a combination of detailed pearl knowledge leading to a Completion Certificate presented by DPE and Gem-A. Jewellery lovers, aspiring designers, gem traders, cultural tourists and Gulf nationals are among the groups being targeted by the Dubai Pearl Exchange (DPE), to learn about the beauty and history of natural pearls and their fundamental place in the region's heritage.

"We are delighted to develop our educational programme with Gem-A's expertise, which spans 100 years, and are heartened that Gem-A shares the same enthusiasm towards the content dedicated to Natural Pearls. This presents an unmatched opportunity to enable the residents of the GCC countries to be better aware of their illustrious heritage, and to help reinstate Dubai's position as a leading pearl hub," said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC. "The recent resurgence in the natural pearl market coupled with Dubai's emergence as an international trading centre, offers enormous potential to re-establish Dubai's traditional link with pearling and thus benefit the Emirate's tourist and jewellery trade."

The course will take inspiration from the rich Arabian pearling heritage, and give those interested in the world of jewellery and pearls an insight into the natural pearl that has traditionally grown and been nurtured within the sparkling waters off the Gulf coast. Focusing on the beauty of the pearl and its formation, the programme will cover the celebrated position of pearls in the great design houses such as Cartier and Tiffany and their representation in contemporary fashion, poetry, romance and folklore.

"Gem-A recognises that Dubai has a very important place in the history of pearling as a centre for trade and pearl fishing, and we were delighted to be given the opportunity to collaborate with the Dubai Pearl Exchange on their new course," said Dr Jack Ogden, CEO, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. "We support gemmological research, learning and understanding worldwide, and have a strong commitment to high educational standards and serving the interests of the gem and jewellery industries."

During its hundred years of existence, Gem-A, the world's longest established provider of gem and jewellery education, have continued to be one of the foremost natural pearl experts and have certified some of the most significant natural pearls from the Gulf region. Gem-A's commitment to high-educational standards will be echoed in the course run by the Dubai Pearl Exchange.

"Back in the early twentieth century, my great-grandfather used to come to the Gulf to purchase pearls, so I am delighted to be given the opportunity to re-visit these past ties," added Ogden.

"DPE's Natural Pearl Course has been designed to give participants a solid knowledge background in the formation of pearls and the history of the pearl trade. Participants will learn about the introduction of cultured pearls in addition to coming away with an understanding of the pearl market today and the various other types of pearls available including Freshwater, Conch, Melo, Tahitian, South Sea and Akoya. The programme will also trace the evolution of the pearl in jewellery from the ancient to the medieval period and from the renaissance to modern times." explained Gaiti Rabbani, Executive Director, Coloured Stones and Pearls, DMCC.

The proposed five-day programme includes three days of instruction in addition to relevant excursions. Potential attendees will include those from the jewellery trade, residents of neighbouring Gulf states, interested members of the public, GCC nationals and study-tourists wanting to gain a first-hand insight of the region's pearl industry. Shorter natural pearl courses will also be available for those interested in a lighter introduction to pearls and the Gulf.

To enrol on the new DPE Natural Pearl Course or to find out more about DPE's latest initiatives in the region visit www.dpe.ae.

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About Dubai Pearl Exchange
The Dubai Pearl Exchange (DPE) is a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a Dubai Government initiative. The exchange is an exclusive trading platform for the pearl industry which facilitates pearl trade through a secure, service oriented platform for members only. DPE is just one of DMCC's pearl specific initiatives. Others include Pearls of Arabia, an entertainment, education and retail destination and Pearl Essence, a global pearl jewellery design programme. http://www.dpe.ae.

About Gem-A:
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, or Gem-A, is the world's longest established provider of gem education and a membership organization that forms an international community of gem professionals, enthusiasts, and graduates of their Diploma courses elected to Fellowship (FGA) or Diamond (DGA) membership status. As a UK registered charity, the Association seeks to serve the best interests of the gem and jewellery industries, support gemmological research and is committed to high educational standards.

© Press Release 2008