Doha-

The Metals and Gemstones Calibration Laboratory is a new step taken by the State of Qatar in its strategy aimed at transforming Doha into a global center for trade in precious stones, especially in light of its possession of the Doha Jewelery and Watches Exhibition, the second largest in the world, and its accession to the "Kimberley Process Certification Scheme".

The laboratory that came to light came after a study that lasted more than 3 years, to be the first laboratory specialized in examining and classifying diamonds and precious stones, and will contribute to accelerating the development process in the State of Qatar and its development goals that it has aspired to since 2011, as part of its preparations to host a historic version of the FIFA World Cup. Football 2022.

Enas Mohammed, one of the founders of the Laboratory for Calibration of Metals and Precious Stones, explains that the process of establishing the laboratory is an achievement that will reflect positively on the trader and the consumer alike, and keep pace with the comprehensive renaissance witnessed by the State of Qatar and the plans for economic growth and commercial expansion in various fields, including the jewelry trade sector.

Enas, the owner of the idea of ​​establishing the laboratory - to Al Jazeera Net - says that she has started working on the project since 2016, but she faced various challenges, represented in the lack of local academic or technical cadres, in addition to the fact that metal and precious stones examination devices are expensive, so the laboratory was established after Signing a cooperation agreement with the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

Enas Mohamed, one of the founders of the laboratory says that she faced many challenges (Qatari Press)

increased circulation

The laboratory will increase trading and investment opportunities in precious stones in the State of Qatar, and will benefit the trader in the first place, as it will be protected from fraud by suppliers, in addition to the fact that documenting the pieces will increase their price, and will help the consumer to know the value of his piece and its original price, as well as the prices of the pieces he plans to buy, According to Enas.

The jewelry and precious stones industry in the State of Qatar is characterized by luxury and sophistication, due to its historical heritage since the first generation of pearl and gem traders, as demonstrated by the Doha Jewelery and Watches Exhibition in its eighteenth edition.

Inas, a graduate of the International Geological Gemological Institute, says that work in the laboratory is in full swing in order to build a large base for investors in Qatar, "and make Doha a global center for precious stones, as well as support Qatar's global reputation in the jewelry and diamond trade sector."

She believes that the laboratory will enhance credibility and trust between the merchant and the consumer, reduce fraud, as well as organize training courses in the classification of diamonds and minerals for Qatari cadres in order to refine their skills and produce specialists in this field.

The inauguration of the Metal Calibration Laboratory came on the sidelines of the Doha International Jewelery Exhibition (Qatari Press)

cadres training

The Minerals and Gemstones Calibration Laboratory organizes training courses on the disposal of diamonds and minerals, during which accredited certificates are granted, to be followed by in-depth courses on polished diamonds, rough diamonds, colored stones, pearls, and jewelry design courses.

As for Engineer Ahmed Al-Obaidly, one of the founders of the Calibration Laboratory for Minerals and Precious Stones, he stresses that the aim of the laboratory - which was inaugurated on the sidelines of the Doha Jewelery and Watches Exhibition - is for the State of Qatar to be the first Arab and regional country in raising public awareness of the importance of diamond disposal, and reducing fraud in This field, the pursuit of ensuring the purchase of a product with correct standards.

Al-Obaidli told Al-Jazeera Net that the laboratory uses the latest technologies in the examination of diamonds and gemstones, which will benefit the local market in light of the large circulation of diamonds, and will contribute to smooth trading operations while ensuring the efficiency and safety of the pieces that are sold.

He expected that the laboratory would contribute to Doha becoming in the future one of the most important centers for diamond trade and examination in the world, especially in light of Qatar’s attractive commercial environment and the comprehensive vision that contributes to attracting international companies, especially diamond companies, based on the vision of Qatar National 2030 that seeks to achieve diversification and growth in the non-oil sectors, in addition to strong infrastructure, unlimited government support, and a pioneering investment climate.

Al-Obaidli expects the laboratory to contribute to Doha becoming one of the most important centers for diamond trade and examination (Al-Jazeera)

Lab Idea

The idea of ​​establishing the laboratory was launched from the Qatari market’s need for this initiative, which aims to preserve the rights of the consumer and the merchant, and its goal in the first stage is to educate the merchant, the consumer and the community and transfer knowledge to Qatari designers and cadres in government institutions and regulatory bodies, as well as unifying the market and proving Qatar’s experience in the world of stones. Kindly raise awareness locally and globally, according to Al-Obaidly.

Al-Obaidli, a graduate of metals and raw materials engineering at the University of Texas in America, believes that the laboratory will enhance mutual trust between jewelers and consumers, as well as build a large base for investors in this field in Qatar, especially after entering the Kimberley Process, but he considered that the matter needs an existing international system. On industry, sales, shipping methods, customs and insurance.

Diamond examinations in the Minerals and Gemstones Calibration Laboratory pass through 4 main things: clarity, cutting method, weight, and color, and these things determine the true price of the piece and give credibility to the merchant and confidence to the consumer.