Dubai Reveals Plans for "Pearls of Arabia"

by New Article from Al Bawaba

Nearly a century after the last pearling fleet lifted anchor from Dubai, the emirate's historic status as the pearl centre of the Gulf is set to be revived in truly spectacular fashion. Today, at an official ceremony at The World, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) unveiled its ambitious plans for "Pearls of Arabia," a landmark project that will feature a high-quality offshore entertainment, retail and educational centre. This project is the first stage of Dubai's plan of reestablishing the emirate as a centre for the global pearl trade.

In association with Paspaley Pearling Co. PTY Ltd, the world's original south sea pearl company and producer of the world's finest pearls, DMCC will establish a 6,000-square-metre Experience Centre on Antarctica at The World Islands. The destination feature a pearl-themed cultural heritage centre, a performing arts theatre, an exhibition gallery and a themed restaurant alongside boutiques inviting participation from the leading international names in the pearl industry. Visitors will travel to this unique destination by water ferries, transporting them across the manmade archipelago of 300 islands and into the region's storied past. The facility is expected to be complete by end 2010.

Read entire article here.

Dubai to Reappear as World Pearling Center

by Adam Gonn
("Mideast News Source")

Nowadays Dubai is known as the miracle economy of the Gulf, managing to turn its oil wealth into a diverse economy.

Less than a century ago, however, the Gulf was home to some of the best pearls in the world, due to the formation of the seabed, the temperature and shallowness of the water.

Some 80,000 men were involved in pearling in the UAE alone and the sale of pearls represented 95 percent of the country's revenues. It is this heritage that Dubai’s Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) plans to present in the new Dubai Pearl Museum, which will house special types of pearls from various regions.

Read entire article here.

Dubai Pearl completion set for 2013

Dubai Pearl, a 1.85 million-square-metre mixed-use luxury development implemented by Pearl Dubai F Z LLC, is set to be complete by 2013.

Abdul Majeed Esmail Al Fahim, chairman of Dubai Pearl, announced that in order to reach completion, the project has adjusted to the financial environment. "We at Dubai Pearl have emphasised prioritising the following key areas in order to adapt to the economic scenario: a focus on the steady progress in the construction and the delivery of the project, flexible and tailor made payment plans to our investors, close and transparent relations with our investors and partners, and an intensive campaign to raise awareness on all the project's components."

The $4 billion (Dh14.6 billion) development is located on the fringes of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, a business cluster operated by Tecom Investments and home to global IT and media companies.

Promoting itself as a walkable city, 56 per cent of the total land mass comprises of open space with 45 per cent of the project area landscaped. The development aims to be a luxury free zone and freehold development with easy access to transport links, private beach club on the World Island.

Read entire article about Dubai Pearl here.

Dubai Strives to Become Pearling Center

by Simeon Kerr
(Dubai)

One of the toughest moments in Dubai’s history came when Japanese scientists discovered how to culture pearls. The process devastated the economies of the Gulf region in the 1930s as the primary industry, diving for natural pearls, collapsed and depression in the US punctured demand.

So the symmetry of Dubai seeking once again to become a pearl trading hub is apt just as the global credit crunch curbs the city-state’s financial and real estate sectors.

“Maybe there is some sentimentality here, but we do believe Dubai can once again become a pearl trading centre, even if it does not turn into a multibillion-dollar industry here,” says Ahmed Sulayem, chairman of the Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre (DMCC).

Read entire article here.

Rare Natural Pearls For Sale in Dubai

by TradeArabia News Service

Particular importance will fall on pearls in this jewellery sale season. The 31 lots of gem quality pearls, featured in the sale are significant owing to their exceptional size, fine shapes, beautiful lustre and unusual color range, including grey, black, brown, yellowish orange, purplish grey and greenish grey.

Along with two of the largest pearls ever recorded, this sale also includes one of the most important pearl necklaces to have been auctioned. The special pearl section is estimated to make $5 million.

Generating considerable pre-sale interest is the extraordinary natural pearl necklace presented as a gift to legendary Arab icon, Umm Kulthum, by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late ruler of the UAE, being sold by family descendents as a star lot and expected to fetch $80,000-120,000.

Read entire article here.

150+ delegates confirmed for inaugural World Pearl Forum

Attendees from Tahiti to Bahrain converge to hear global pearl experts



The inaugural World Pearl Forum, organised by the Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), will see participation from more than 150 delegates from leading pearl producing nations. The World Pearl Forum which is supported by Dubai World, will be held on February 17 and 18 at the Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah. It will host 22 pearl experts from the US to China, highlighting initiatives to consolidate the fragmented global pearl sector, for increased growth potential in 2009 and beyond.



The World Pearl Forum will see participation from senior representatives from pearl producers, national pearl bodies, certification specialists and jewellery trade experts. The forum will address several fundamental issues, providing participants with the opportunity to debate the latest challenges in the global pearl sector.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC said, “In addition to strong international attendance, we are honoured that HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, is extending her patronage for the first-ever World Pearl Forum. Her presence and participation truly epitomises our objective in revitalising Dubai’s ancient pearling heritage in a contemporary manner, strengthening the Emirate’s leadership role in shaping the global pearl sector. It also underlines the support that this project continues to receive from the Government of Dubai.”

Read entire article here.

Christie's Jewel Sale in Dubai totals $20.1m

by AME Info

For centuries, many of the finest pearls in the world came from Arabian waters. It is therefore very fitting that Christie's sold tonight in Dubai one of the most important groups of natural pearls to have appeared at auction for many decades, including some of the rarest pearls in the world.

This evening's dedicated section of natural pearls realized $6,161,300 / Dhs22,611,971 / €3,977,735 and was led by an exceptional four-row pearl necklace with 217 gem quality pearls, with a suspended exceptionally large button pearl, weighing 219.32 grains (54.83 carats) which sold for $1,743,400 / Dhs6,398,278 / €1,125,539, the highest price ever realised for an object sold by Christie's in the Middle East.

The magnificent natural pearl necklace of Umm Kulthum (1904-1975) sold tonight for $1,385,000 / Dhs5,082,950 / €894,156, more than ten times its pre-sale estimate of $80,000-$120,000.


Read entire article here.

Cultured Pearl Farm in United Arab Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah

Al-Muhairbi, who is enjoying a quiet retirement, heard in 2008 that cultured pearls had finally been produced in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah after repeated attempts that failed due to a lack of technology.

On a visit to a pearl oyster farm run by Abdulla al-Suwaidi, 35, al-Muhairbi saw a pearl taken from an oyster and was struck by its yellowish glow. It was as large as a natural pearl.

Al-Suwaidi started culturing pearls in Ras Al Khaimah in 2005 with Daiji Imura, 44, a former pearl dealer from Ise, Mie Prefecture. He happened to meet Imura when he was looking for a cultured pearl necklace to present to his wife on their first wedding anniversary. Al-Suwaidi was working in Japan at the time.

Read entire article here.

Dubai leads industry dialogue for global pearl trade growth

Dubai will take the lead next week when regional and international pearl experts from 20 countries come together for the inaugural World Pearl Forum, being held from 17-18 February, 2009 at the Atlantis hotel, Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

Hosted by the Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the forum seeks to harness the experience of more than 25 experts from across the globe at a single forum, to discuss the collective growth strategy for pearls in view of the issues, latest initiatives and developments that affect the global pearl trade.

Despite global downturn, there is still growth potential for pearls as a luxury product in emerging markets, where Dubai is ideally positioned to provide a platform for international businesses and play a lead role in promoting industry growth.

Read entire article here.

GIA to offer its first pearl classes in Dubai

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will present, for the first time, pearl classes in Dubai.
The first two-day pearl class will be held on May 12-13, from 9 am-4 pm. The class costs US$225 for DGJG members and US$ 250 for non-members.

The second workshop will be held on May 14 from 9 am-4 pm and will cover pearl and bead stringing lessons. The class costs US$ 150 for DGJG members and US$ 175 for non-members.

The venue for both the classes is Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) at the Dubai Gold Land Building. Students after successfully completing the classes will be presented with a GIA letter of completion.

Read entire article here.

Pearls of the Gulf

DUBAI // Overlooking the abras and wind towers of Dubai Creek, Jamila Bu-eisha reflects on the treasure that brought the Gulf its first taste of wealth. “In myths and legends, pearls were associated with beauty, longevity and perfection,” she says.

“It was very expensive, very valuable. This explains why people used to dive and have a very risky job to provide the market with pearls.”

Ms Bu-eisha is the manager of the Pearl Museum, located on the Creek in the glittering towers of the National Bank of Dubai. The museum is home to the personal collection of Sultan al Owais, one of the bank’s founders and the son of a pearl merchant. Mr al Owais donated his natural pearl collection, one of the largest in the world, as a reminder of the little jewel that brought trade to the Gulf and hardship to the divers who risked death to find it.

Life in the region revolved around the pearl for centuries, according to archaeological evidence, from the Late Stone Age in the 6th/5th millennia BC. References to Gulf pearls in Asian literature date to the second millennium BC.

Read entire article here.

Rare Natural Pearl Display in Abu Dhabi

The exceptionally rare pearl will be the major attraction of the Natural Pearl Display, which is being held from 25th January 2010. The Display, which PRC is organizing with the support of Robert Wan, “the emperor of pearl”, will also feature a number of the world’s rarest natural pearls and pearling master collections, including a showcase from K.C. Bell, one of the world’s leading experts on pearls.

A natural salt-water nacreous baroque pearl - length of 4 inches (10.2 cm), circumference of 6 inches (15.2 cm) and 856.58 carats (171.3 gram) in weight - the pearl is almost twice as large as the Hope pearl, which is displayed at the British Museum of Natural History, and almost 11 carats heavier than the Burma pearl. It has been incorporated into the design of a stunning sculptural jewel of a Centaur, a Greek mythological creature that was believed to be half man and half horse; the pearl forms the torso of the Centaur, with the remaining parts sculptured in gold.

“The Pearl Revival Committee is committed to upholding this unique heritage and has organized the Natural Pearl Display as a celebration of the beauty of pearls and also to their important role in the development and growth of Abu Dhabi. Visitors to the display will have the opportunity to view collections of some of the world’s rarest and most beautiful pearls”, he added.

Read more about rare natural pearl display in Abu Dhabi here.

Dubai Hopes to Bring Back the Glory Days of Natural Pearls

Dubai is known for its oil riches and spectacular architecture, but it craves a return to its old glory, and the origin of its prosperity as the major producer of natural pearls.

In the past, pearl divers could hold their breath for two minutes and dive into the warm waters of the Gulf for the aquatic gems. The lucrative trade was based on these ?amphibious? men. Many died and many got rich. It was a time when a pearl was more expensive than gold ? a time when the Gulf was the world's pearl trade epicenter with $4 million revenue a year at the start of the 20th century.

In the 1930s that industry was turned upside down overnight, leaving the country desperate, when cultured (technologically altered) pearls were introduced by the Japanese, meaning they were no longer rare. In the 1960s, the oil boom returned the Gulf people's interest to the sea, despite the value of natural pearls having fallen by 90%. But nowadays, while the pearl market is packed with cultured pearls from the Far East and West, natural pearls have returned to their throne, and an ambitious Dubai is attempting to revive the 3000-year-old pearl trade with an eye on the multibillion dollar natural and cultured pearl market.



?The pearl trade is good nowadays,? says Ahmed Nasser, the manager of Dubai's Al Fardan Jewellery, ?in the 1950s-1960s the pearl value decreased because of the oil boom and cultured pearls, but nowadays the natural pearl price is growing since the market is full of cultured pearls and a natural pearl is a rare find.? The Al Fardan name has had a strong association with pearl trading in the Gulf for over a century, focusing on natural pearl trading.

Read entire article here.

Pearl Essence Dubai Details Unveiled

by Xpress News

Jewellery designers from all over the world are set to descend upon Dubai next year for what is dubbed as the Oscars of pearl jewellery design, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) announced on Tuesday.

“Pearl Essence” – an International Pearl Jewellery Design Programme, is a global design initiative for pearl jewellery initiated by DMCC, a government-backed commodity marketplace that seeks to revive the pearling tradition in the UAE and create a platform for the coloured stones trade.

Ahmed Bn Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC, who launched the event in a press conference, said,“Dubai’s pearling industry has always been linked to the Gulf region and the outside world. It’s not a self-contained city. Dubai flourished the day it opened its doors and relaxed duties to merchants,” he said.

Read entire article here.

Dubai Pearl Exchange holds its first pearl tender

The sales amounted to over $1 million

The first pearl tender by the Dubai Pearl Exchange was held last month, generating sales worth over $1 million. The event accommodated 40 companies amongst whom buyers were keenly interested in the natural pearls, strands with important single pieces.

The prominent pieces at the sale were - a very rare drop-pair of Paspaley Pearls' natural pearls, bought by Swiss Pearls of Switzerland. Another was a set of cherry-coloured Robert Wan Tahitian pearls, strand and earrings, sold to Shafiian Gem. A strand of pink cultured South Sea pearls from Paspaley Pearls and a strand of gold cultured South Sea pearls from Cogent were sold to Pearls of Nippon.

Read entire article here.

Dubai to Host First-Ever Global Pearl Forum

by Indo-Asian News Service

Buy at AllPosters.com



This metropolis on the Gulf coast will be the venue of the first-ever global conference on pearls.

The Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), has announced that it would host the first-ever World Pearl Forum here February 17-19 next year, with the objective of bringing together the global pearl sector, and addressing ways to grow the worldwide market for pearl jewellery, according to a DMCC statement.

The event is being sponsored by Dubai World, the global investment company of the Dubai government, and is part of DMCC's continuing effort to revitalise the global pearl trade, and build on Dubai's historic status as the pearl centre of the Gulf. DMCC is an arm of Dubai World.

Read entire article here.

Dubai Pearl trade records over 300 per cent year-on-year growth during 2008

The Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), announced that Dubai’s pearl trade more than quadrupled during 2008 underlining Dubai’s active role in the global pearl market.

Reports from the Statistics Department of Dubai World indicate that the value of the loose pearl trade in Dubai grew from AED 22 million in 2007 to over AED 95 million during 2008 representing a total year-on-year growth of 324%.

Import of pearls, both natural and cultured, increased in value from AED 15.6 million in 2007 to AED 50.1 million in 2008 while re-export increased from AED 6.4 million to AED 45.6 million during the same period. Dubai’s total pearl trade in 2006 was AED14.9 million. The statistics represent both natural and cultured loose pearls and does not include strung, mounted or those set in jewellery.


Read entire article here.

Dubai Desires to Become Pearl Trade Center

The two-day World Pearl Forum, organised by the Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), concluded last Wednesday with industry calls for Dubai to take a leadership role in driving the future collective growth of the global pearl trade. Last week’s Dubai-based event, held under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, proved successful in achieving the objective of uniting leading pearl industry professionals for the first time.

Stressing the need for greater coordination among the diverse types of pearls represented by the global pearl industry, participants from across the world called for action from industry leaders to ensure effective positioning of pearls as a division amongst the jewellery sector. Industry leaders cited Dubai’s positioning as the ideal location, and in turn the Dubai Pearl Exchange, as the ideal platform to coordinate such an initiative given its neutral positioning and ability to drive fundamental projects such as the World Pearl Forum.

Read entire article here.

Pearl Commission votes on Amendments to the Pearl Blue Book

Dubai, United Arab Emirates--The CIBJO Pearl Commission has voted on a number of amendments to the Pearl Blue Book, a definitive set of standards for pearl grading, methodology and nomenclature that the commission has updated each year since the guide's publication in 2006.

The new amendments, including a unanimous vote against the use of the term "cultured" to describe synthetic diamonds, as well as board elections, were made during the most recent CIBJO Congress, held in April of 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Pearl Commission re-elected Martin Coeroli as president, Shigeru Akamatsu as vice president, and elected Gati Rabbani as a second vice president. The commission also adopted new resolutions on the definition of Clause 5.16 "bead" for cultured pearls, Clause 5.110 "luster enhancement," Clause 5.132 "nacre thickness," Clause 5.52 "cultured blister" and Clause 5.220 "working."

Looking ahead, the Pearl Steering Committee is finalizing the proposals that will be presented at the 2009 CIBJO Congress, taking place May 3-5 in Istanbul. The proposals include recommendations to disclose a new cultured pearl treatment in which metal fluids are injected into a pearl's sac to induce varying colors as "color-induced cultured pearls;" to change the "Salt Water Cultured Pearls" Clause 4.2.8 to have the word "saltwater" always preceed the words "cultured pearl" in any reference to a "saltwater cultured pearl;" and to complete the appendix list of pearl mollusks.

Read entire article here.

Dubai to Host Pearl Jewelry Design Program

by JCKonline.com

Some of the world’s leading luxury jewelry designers and regional jewelry design students have received exclusive invitations from Dubai Multi Commodities Centre to take part in the inaugural “Pearl Essence”—the Dubai international pearl jewelry design program.

The program incorporates different categories of pearls, including Tahitian, South Sea, Akoya, and Freshwater.

“Pearl Essence’ is a two-tier program incorporating both leading professional designers and students of jewellery design,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC. “The professional designer tier will constitute a custom-designed collection of pearl jewelry pieces, created by ten invited luxury brands inspired by the rich Arabian pearling heritage and represented in a modern and contemporary fashion. The student tier is a competition for final year students from schools that offer a minimum two-year full time jewellery design course, spanning a broad geographical market.”

Read entire article here.

Jewellery Show Abu Dhabi 2010

Jewellery Show Abu Dhabi 2010

The 18th edition of the International Jewellery and Watch Show (JWS Abu Dhabi) 2010 is organized by Reed Exhibitions in association with Pearl Revival committee. The exhibition is set to bring together nearly 130 exhibitors from over 20 countries at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from November 10 to 14, 2010.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Middle East

Photographic Print

Buy at AllPosters.com



JWS 2010 has already witnessed a sell-out of exhibition space five weeks ahead of the event.
Exhibitors represented at the event include those from Belgium, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States. JWS Abu-Dhabi 2010 will bring on display world-class designs and up-to-the-minute collections from manufacturers and designers across the globe.
JWS 2010 is part of the REED Jewellery Group, a worldwide leader in high quality exhibition and conferences.

Including JWS, REED Jewellery Group organizes 12 high profile jewellery events around the globe, designed to deliver unique business opportunities for all stakeholders of the industry. Among these are the International Jewellery Kobe (IJK), the world's largest quality pearl trade show organized every year in Japan and renowned global jewellery exhibitions such as JCK in USA and Eclat de Mode in France.

This year, JWS has partnered with Gemological Institute of America to offer a series of seminars on purchasing gems and jewellery as well as upcoming trends in jewellery design. The seminars are being held for no extra cost and are open for all visitors. The topics covered by the seminars include diamond basics, latest diamond and gemstones treatment and an introduction to pearls. The event is being presented in partnership with Rotana Hotels, who are serving as hospitality partners for the event.

More about Jewelry Show at Abu Dhabi

Dubai Pearl Auction

Dubai Pearl Auction

Dubai, UAE; 27 October 2010: The Dubai Pearl Exchange ('DPE'), a subsidiary of Dubai Multi Commodities, will be hosting two major international pearl trade auctions in January 2011 at its headquarters in the Almas Tower. The first event will feature white South Sea pearls produced exclusively by Paspaley Pearling Co., on the 10th and 11th of January. It will be followed by an auction of Tahitian and golden South Sea pearls from Robert Wan and Jewelmer, respectively, on the 12th and 13th of January.

The auctions highlights will include loose merchandise suitable for strand-making and jewellery manufacturing but also including strands and matched pairs in a wide range of qualities, ranging from entry level commercial merchandise through to rare fine quality pearls in large sizes. These two events are the first commercial trade auctions by these leading pearl producers at the DPE and follow on the success of the Dubai Pearl Tender of some of the world's rarest and most sought after natural and cultured pearls held in 2009, which generated over US $1 million in wholesale value.

Paspaley is the world's leading producer of South Sea pearls and is renowned for its large gem quality pearls. The business was founded 75 years ago as a natural pearl company and is one of the last South Sea pearl producers that still harvests natural pearls and cultured pearls from wild pearl oysters. Nicholas Paspaley, Chairman of Paspaley Pearling Co, commented:

"We have chosen to host this event in Dubai for the simple reason that it is establishing itself as a truly global pearl trading centre. In 2009 we successfully sold some of the rarest and finest natural and cultured pearls ever produced. The reason for returning to Dubai to host a major wholesale auction is straightforward; to explore new markets while taking advantage of Dubai's strategic location for established clients. The passion for pearls in the Gulf region is unquestionable and we are confident of another successful event."

More about Dubai Pearl Auction

Pearl Divers Base Camp in UAE

Pearl Divers Base Camp in UAE

SIR BU NAIR ISLAND -- To pearl divers, it is known as the pearl-shaped island. Marine environmentalists call it turtle island. To Emirati poets it is the "tear-drop" island that fell into the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was an important base for pearl divers, who would camp out on the island as they dived and fished for pearls. The single well on the island was believed to have healing powers, and would be protected fiercely by the pearl divers.

One of the spots on the island, known as Abu Fenjan, or Abu Fenyan, is named after an Arabic coffee cup that was dropped by a pearl diver in that spot.

One of the theories behind the name of the island, Sir Bu Nair, goes back to an old legend about a pearl diver who lost his mind and started wailing like a donkey. Nair refers to the sound made by donkeys, a similar sound some say can be heard on the island during the mix of certain winds.

A pearling dhow race recently started on this island.

Read entire article about pearl divers base camp.

100 Pearling Dhows Race in UAE

100 Pearling Dhows Race in UAE

After weeks of preparations, nearly 100 boats will start their journey back from Sir Bu Na'air Island in what is traditionally called Al Gaffal or the return home.

For centuries the people of the Gulf barely eked an existence out of their brutally hot and dry environment with fishing and pearl-diving their only sources of income. During the summer months, men would leave the desert and join the pearling fleet.

That fleet, which numbered as many as 1,200 dhows at its peak, consisted of several different styles of boat ? sm'aa, shahouf, baqqarah and jalboot in the local dialect ? which, along with various types of fishing boats and the larger trans-ocean cargo boats, were known generically as dhows.

The design of the dhow changed little over the ages and in the ?mahmel' boats that make up today's racing dhow fleet, we see a strong resemblance to the ?jalboot'. Built to a 200-year-old design, with their broad beam, shallow draft and lack of a weighted keel (the ballast being up to 50 sandbags plus the crew's weight) they are more like an 18-foot skiff than an America's Cup yacht.

The advent of cultured pearls witnessed in the 1930s saw the near-end of the dhow fleet.

By the mid-1980s there were a mere handful dhows left ? and the usage of about 400 words related to pearl-diving and the boats that served the trade were on the verge of extinction.

t's back to business for the dhow builders. The master carpenters, originally from India's Malabar coast, from where the teak is also sourced, are handing down the skills to the next generation.

Even today there are no major changes: the boards are hand-sawn and chiselled as they had been for centuries. There are no drawings or plans and the design exists only in the mind's eye of the builder.

Read entire article about 100 pearl dhows race in UAE.

59 Carat Natural Pearl to be Sold in Dubai

59 Carat Natural Pearl to be Sold in Dubai

A spectacular 8-strand graduated natural pearl necklace with a late Victorian diamond clasp, is also a highlight of the sale with an estimate of $240,000-280,000.

The drop-shaped natural pearl weighs 239.7 grains (59.92 carats). This impressive pearl was once part of the collection of Valda 3 Virginia Vaughn Scott, the daughter of an English diplomat and a member of the prestigious Alessi family. It is estimated at $180,000-250,000.

Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, who have been holding regular auctions in the Middle East since 2006, will also be offering Modern and Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish Art at auction on the previous evening, April 19.

More about 59 carat natural pearl to be sold in Dubai.

International Pearl Conference in Abu Dhabi

International Pearl Conference in Abu Dhabi

Themed as "Pearls, Gems '&' Jewelry", The International Pearl Conference is expected to bring together the global pearl community and experts to celebrate pearl heritage and discuss the future of the Industry, focusing on international trade opportunities and information exchange and will be held at the prestigious Emirates Palace Hotel on 14th November 2010.

Camels Converge on Abu Dhabi for an Annual Beauty Contest

Photographic Print

Buy at AllPosters.com





The International Pearl Conference is an all day event that will include a full and interactive programme devoted to the pearl and jewelry industry as a whole. The event is expected to bring together the global community to commemorate the heritage of pearls and jewelry and discuss the future of the industry, focusing on international trade opportunities and information exchange.

Throughout the day GIA will hold workshops, seminars and discussion forums on industry topics and will become an important forum for The Pearl Revival Committee. With plans to become an annual event, the conference will be addressed by industry leaders especially invited to participate as keynote speakers and share their expertise and knowledge of the industry. A recognized and nonprofit organization, The Pearl Revival Committee is dedicated to the preservation of the Pearl Industry, which forms an important part of the UAE's history.

The International Pearl Forum will be concluded with a first-class Gala Dinner that will celebrate the significance of pearls throughout the world. Entertainment will included an exclusive Arabian pearl diving cultural performance, a jewelry fashion show and an auction of rare jewelry by renowned auctioneers.

More about International Pearl Conference in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Pearl Conference

Abu Dhabi Pearl Conference

The Arabian Gulf's rich heritage in the pearl industry will be celebrated during the International Pearl Conference, which will be held at the Emirates Palace Hotel on 10th November 2010. The five-day event, to be held under the theme "Pearls, Gems '&' Jewellery," was developed by the non-profit Pearl Revival Committee to encourage renewed interest in pearls in the Middle East.

''Sheikh Zayed saw the challenges and triumphs of our forefathers who endured rough seas and deep waters in search of the precious pearls. We are here to celebrate our heritage and our forefathers.

''We do remember the days when our ancestors roamed the seas in search of pearls.

And at this upcoming event, we will remember stories of those heroes and the famous saying behind every great man there is a great woman and behind every diver there's a great woman who was patient during his absence and she hoped and prayed for his safe return as the seas have no mercy. The diver who ventured into the rough seas and proudly concurred it to bring home a gem that is timeless and everlasting.

''Our history is also revealed through ancient fossils and clamping of the natural pearl it shows that the pearls served the people of the Arabian Gulf and this connected them to the rest of the world. The pearl came in many colors and forms, sizes, and charm and was the catalyst of bridging cultures and religions from around the world. This trade benefited most of the people living on the coastline and they would risk their lives in the deep seas diving for the precious pearl,'' Al Sayegh said. This is our story - the story of the Arabian pearl - it is in our blood and we celebrate this heritage that was passed on to us by our forefathers.

Delma island in Abu Dhabi, he added, is the pearl island where pearls traders from the Gulf used to visit and trade during the pearl season twice a year. historians wrote stories, the heart of the natural pearls, we have bearings and diving vessels fully equipped for modern times and our next chapter is to continue to enhance awareness and promotion of the pearls and to share with the world.

More about Abu Dhabi pearl conference.