GIA Opens Grading Lab in Dubai
February 21, 24
(IDEX Online) - GIA has, for the first time, opened a grading lab in Dubai.
It will offer its services to over 1,150 diamond companies at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).
The move follows GIA's closure of its Antwerp lab in July 2022, which was deemed to be economically unviable.
It reflects "Dubai's status as a global hub for business," said DMCC in a statement.
The new GIA lab opened on Monday (19 February) occupying over 41,000 square feet across two floors of the 340m-high Uptown Tower, as part of a nine-year deal.
It will be available only for clients in the Dubai free trade zones, grading D-to-Z diamonds weighing up to 3.99 carats.
"Opening a GIA laboratory in the important global diamond center of Dubai is a significant step in expanding our services to advance our important consumer protection mission and meet the needs of the industry," said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
"As an industry leader for research, education, and grading, we are delighted that the GIA now becomes an integral part of the new silk route in the global diamond supply chain, further highlighting the strategic role Dubai plays within it," said Ahmed bin Sulayem, DMCC executive chairman and CEO.
Pic of Dubai lab courtesy GIA.