In-depth course to teach resident and visiting enthusiasts about the beauty of pearls and their role in society today

Programme developed in collaboration with Gem-A and conducted by the Dubai Pearl Exchange

Dubai, 11 November 2008:  Jewellery lovers, aspiring designers, gem traders, cultural tourists, and Gulf Nationals are among the groups being targeted by the Dubai Pearl Exchange (DPE), a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), for its Natural Pearl Course - the most comprehensive natural pearl education programme available to date.

DPE's course has been developed in association with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A), as part of its centenary celebrations of gemmological education. The proposed programme will teach a range of participants - from pearl novices to those already working in the gem and jewellery trade - about the beauty and history of natural pearls and their fundamental place in the region's heritage.

The course will take inspiration from the rich Arabian pearling heritage, giving 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, its history and origins, the programme will cover the celebrated position of pearls in the great design houses such as Cartier and Tiffany, and their representation in fashion, poetry, romance and folklore.

"The DPE Natural Pearl Course will have wide-ranging appeal, providing an ideal platform to make nationals, jewellery collectors, cultural tourists and those already in the gem trade better aware of the illustrious heritage of pearls," said Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC. "In addition to increasing the visibility and appreciation of pearls in today's fashion-centric society, the programme offers an opportunity for Gulf Nationals to learn more about their rich heritage in pearling.

 Leading to a Completion Certificate presented by the Dubai Pearl Exchange and Gem-A, the programme will cover the history of the pearl in jewellery from antiquity through to modern times. Participants will learn about the introduction of cultured pearls in addition to coming away with an understanding of the pearl market today, and the re-establishment of Dubai as a centre for the pearl industry thus uniting the jewellery community.

"Gem-A recognises that Dubai is a fast growing centre for pearls and has a very important place in the history of pearling, so we were delighted to be given the opportunity to collaborate with the Dubai Pearl Exchange on a new course and serve the interests of newcomers to pearls as well as the wider gem and jewellery industries," said Dr Jack Ogden, CEO, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

"Containing 15 diverse subject areas, the in-depth course has been designed to give participants a solid knowledge background across various categories of pearls and a deeper appreciation for the gem of Arabia. The proposed fuller programme will entail a course of three-days instruction with relevant excursions forming up to a five-day course in total. For interested members of the public and education-focused tourists wanting to gain a first-hand insight of Dubai's pearl industry, a shorter programme will be available," explained Gaiti Rabbani, Executive Director, Coloured Stones and Pearls, DMCC. To find out more about DPE's latest initiatives in the region visit www.dpe.ae.

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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