International Gemological Institute’s (IGI) has opened its largest laboratory –cum-education centre in the Middle East region in Dubai. The facility opened over 5,000 square feet will be the primary IGI lab in the region and will house the most modern technology in diamond grading; and certification of loose diamonds, diamond jewellery and coloured stones within the diamond laboratory section, while offering educational courses in Rough Diamond Grading; Polished Diamond Grading; Colour Stones Identification; Professional Jewellery Designing; Pearl Grading; Mounted Jewellery Grading; and seminars for retail sales professionals on diamonds and coloured stones in the IGI School of Gemology.

The location of the laboratory give it strategic access to cater to the regional and international diamond companies within the Almas Tower.

The laboratory has over 40 professionals and the technical capacity to analyse, grade and certified hundreds of diamonds daily and plans to further offer programmes for the diamond and jewellery industry professionals, aspiring jewellery designers and consumers.

The facility was inaugurated at the hands of Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre; and Roland Lorie, CEO, IGI Worldwide; in the presence of Nico D’Haemer, MD, IGI Dubai; and Benoit Scheyvaerts, GM, IGI.