First GIA Graduate Diamonds Diploma Program Finishes in Dubai

GIA’s first Graduate Diamonds class in Dubai receive their diplomas. Front row: Manoj Singhania, director of GIA education in India, Amit Dhamani, a member of the GIA’s Board of Governors and CEO of Dhamani Jewels, and Kathryn Kimmel, vice president and chief marketing officer of GIA. Image © GIA.

(IDEX Online News) – A class of 10 students from eight countries graduated from the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) first Graduate Diamonds Diploma program in Dubai, a growing diamond trading center.

The graduates were recognized during a special ceremony which included Amit Dhamani, a member of the GIA Board of Governors and CEO of Dhamani Jewels. “People in the gem and jewelry industry are some of the most passionate people I know. It’s important to keep this passion alive and growing by continuing your education and keeping in touch with classmates through organizations like the GIA alumni association,” said Dhamani.

In addition to classroom learning, the inaugural Dubai class received practical instruction during field trips to companies representing different parts of the industry.

“Supporting the gem and jewelry buying public across the world through education is essential to GIA’s mission, and offering the Graduate Diamonds program in Dubai is yet another step in the journey to offer regionally-relevant education where ever it is needed,” said Nirupa Bhatt, managing director of GIA in India and Middle East.

The Graduate Diamonds Diploma is a seven-week course with instruction on the 4Cs and how to grade diamonds using the D-Z color scale, using equipment to grade and identify diamonds, how to detect synthetics, treatments, simulants and fracture-filled diamonds, and speaking the language of diamonds to suppliers, vendors and customers. The next course in Dubai is scheduled for April 2014.

In addition to Dubai, GIA conducts courses throughout the Middle East, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.