Colored Stones

Save E-mail Print Most Popular RSS Reprints

'Pearls of Dubai' plan announced at ICA Congress

May 08, 2007

Similar Stories | Topics

Dubai, United Arab Emirates—A new plan to brand cultured pearls from Dubai and re-establish the region's significance as a pearl producer through the Dubai Pearl Exchange was announced during the opening day of the 12th Biennial International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) Congress.

Ahmed bin Sulayem, chief operating officer of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), laid out plans for the new project, which will bring Dubai-brand pearls from production to retail.

"The aim of this ambitious project is to revive the U.A.E.'s historical significance as a leading destination for pearl diving and trading," Sulayem said. "The project will comprise a pearl farm, waterfront museum and retail destination."

Once it is up and running, Pearls of Dubai will produce Dubai-brand pearls at offshore farms. Visitors to the center will be transported to select pearl production sites on traditional sailing vessels called "dhows" and may even have a chance to try pearl diving firsthand, Sulayem added.

"Pearls of Dubai will develop the entire value chain of the industry from production to retail. The newly created Dubai Pearl Exchange will form an integral part of this chain by providing an exclusive trading platform," he said.

Tawfic Farah, executive director of diamonds and colored stones for the DMCC, said the project, which will begin sometime this month, will be undertaken as a joint venture with an unnamed Australian company and should be in full production by September 2008.

Akoya pearls, the type currently produced in Japan, will be the first cultivated, but the prospect of culturing South Sea pearls is also being studied, Farah said. He described the waters surrounding Dubai as environmentally-friendly, and noted that farming operations to cultivate pearls are already a year old at Rasal Khaime in the United Arab Emirates.

Throughout history, Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates as a whole, has been a pearl-trading center, and pearls were considered a backbone of the country's early economy, said Farah. Every major trading family in the United Arab Emirates could trace its roots back to pearl diving and trading, he added.
Save E-mail Print Most Popular RSS Reprints
Post a Comment
* Required field
* Author:
* Comment:
 

More Colored Stones

Richard Hughes
Ruby, sapphire expert Hughes wins Bonanno award

Richard W. Hughes, known for his adventure-laden travelogues, his writings on undisclosed gemstone treatments and as the author of Ruby and Sapphire, has won the 2010 Antonio C. Bonanno Award For Excellence in Gemology, the Accredited Gemologists Association has announced. Read More

'Vivid Pink' up for sale at Christie's
Price is right for pearls this holiday
More Colored Stones

More Like This

Salon Prive Dubai, About J form strategic alliance
March 13, 2009 | National Jeweler Network
Luxury jewelry show to launch in Dubai
December 03, 2008 | National Jeweler Network
478-carat diamond lights up Dubai conference
November 10, 2008 | National Jeweler Network
ICA launches colored-gemstone show in Dubai
January 28, 2008 | National Jeweler Network
Dubai to host 2008 CIBJO Congress
December 13, 2007 | National Jeweler Network

Design Portfolio

advertisement

Video

Small multi video player located on right rail of NJN site

advertisement

Sponsored by:

Retailer Toolbar

America's Best Jewelers
Join the ONLY Social Network for Jewelry Retailers. Get access to expert content, peer best practices, and more.
Start networking today.
Newsletters
Newsletters
Topic-specific newsletters that deliver the latest news on jewelry, diamonds, wholesale operations and high-volume buying directly to your in-box.
Reader Connect
ReaderConnect
Supplier information presented with every article, bringing you related, actionable content on every topic.
Jewelry Yellow Pages
Yellow Pages
A comprehensive listing of associations, organizations, suppliers and services for the jewelry industry.
Classifieds
Classifieds
A comprehensive listing of job postings, product offerings and other materials for sale for the jewelry industry.
NJN Customer Connect
CustomerConnect
The most sophisticated suite of marketing services available for jewelry retailers, from Internet tools to data marketing.

advertisement