Dubai Diamond Conference to focus on synthetics

The Second Dubai Diamond Conference, being held April 21-22, will discuss one of the most topical issues in the global diamond business: synthetic diamonds.

The Conference will provide a comprehensive view of the state of global diamond and jewellery markets and will host delegates and keynote speakers from Africa, the Middle East and Asia, including several Ministers of Mines and Mineral Resources from leading African producing countries, heads of leading global diamond industry and retail organizations, and members of civil society groups.

The increase in lab-grown diamonds and their undisclosed inclusion in parcels of natural mined diamonds over the past two years have rung alarm bells throughout the diamond industry worldwide. As a result, the conference organisers believe an in-depth discussion by a panel of experts is critical in providing an analysis of the nature of the issue and how the diamond sector should respond to it. The theme of the panel is: Synthetic Diamonds: Problem or Not at All? The high-level participants include Edward Asscher, WDC President; Ernest Blom, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses; Marc Brauner, Co-CEO of IGI Worldwide; Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director of the GJEPC; and Audrey Tcherkoff, General Manager Middle East at Robert Wan. The panel will be moderated by Mr. Peter Meeus, Chairman of Dubai Diamond Exchange and Mr. Albert Robinson, Industry Journalist.

Mr Blom commented: “Synthetic diamonds are an important issue for the diamond industry. We really need to have a clear-headed debate about the size and nature of this issue. The synthetic diamonds sector has a niche within the overall market. I am not opposed to them as long as they are correctly disclosed. This panel, and the conference in general, will provide the opportunity for an exhaustive view of the current diamond trade.”

Registration for the conference has started. More information can be found on the Dubai Diamond Conference website.

DMCC – Made For Trade

DMCC is dedicated to enhancing Dubai’s position as the global gateway for commodity trade. The most successful markets create conditions that enable producers, traders and consumers to thrive. DMCC is a Dubai Government Authority committed to developing these ideal conditions for trade and enterprise. DMCC has a strong track record in commodity trade facilitation and we encourage and support business through the platforms we provide. These include our Free Zone, commodity exchanges, legal and regulatory frameworks and our strong real estate offering. As part of our DMCC Free Zone expansion strategy to provide large corporates with a commercial property offering unique to the Dubai marketplace – DMCC is developing the ‘Burj 2020 District’ with the world’s tallest commercial tower, the ‘Burj 2020’, as its centrepiece. www.dmcc.ae Dubai

The Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) is a DMCC platform and a leading diamond centre based in the Almas Tower. From buyers to sellers to service providers – everything the industry require in terms of infrastructure and a marketplace is available under one roof in a secure environment at Almas Tower including: DDE, vaulting, boiling, polishing, certification, transport and logistics services and the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

Dubai’s strong leadership and vision has enabled the Emirate to quickly transform itself into a key link in the global transport and distribution system. Since its inception in 2002, DMCC has successfully established Dubai as the global gateway for commodities trade by building and enhancing its physical and financial infrastructure, regulatory standards, products and services, including the launch of the DDE and the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX). This has positioned Dubai as one of the world’s leading diamond centres.