Pearl Essence Finalists Honored

Pearl Essence Finalists Honored

The Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), will honor the 11 students selected as finalists for its Pearl Essence initiative during the seventh Dubai City of Gold Conference 2010, to be held on May 2, 2010. One of the 11 designers will receive the program's top prize: a month-long internship with Stephen Webster in London. Second prize is a trip to Australia, where the winning student will tour pearling operations and pearl farms of Paspaley Pearling Co. Third prize is a pearl course offered by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in New York. In addition, an online GIA pearl course will be made available to all 11 finalists.

Pearl Essence was conceived by the exchange as an international pearl jewelry design program that draws inspiration from the rich pearling heritage of Arabia. There were 644 entries from design students. The 11 finalists' designs have been fabricated into finished jewelry by DMCC and will also be unveiled on May 2.

"DMCC is pleased to honor the finalists of Pearl Essence," said Ahmed bin Sulayem, the executive chairman of DMCC. "The overwhelming number of entries highlights the enormous design talent across the global student community that is interested to work with and showcase the beauty of pearls. The enthusiastic participation also reflects the importance of programs such as this in increasing the visibility of pearls in the fashion industry and reiterates the pioneering initiative and involvement of Dubai and the DMCC in the international pearl community."

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