DUBAI: The Dubai Customs has celebrated the first graduating class of its employees in the Gems and Diamonds Diploma, which was initiated in collaboration with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) – a pioneer in this field. The institute was the first to introduce the 4C’s grading chart (colour, cut, clarity and carat-weight) and the GIA 7 Pearl Value Factors (size, shape, colour, nacre, luster, surface, and matching).
The diamonds programme teaches how to grade diamonds in the D-Z colour range based on the GIA-created 4Cs of diamond quality. Students learn how to use gemological equipment to grade and identify diamonds; to detect synthetics, treatments, stimulants and fracture-filled diamonds; and to confidently speak the language of diamonds to suppliers, vendors and customers.
This programme aims at enabling Dubai Customs employees to perform their tasks, with further empowerment, knowledge and professional confidence, when dealing with this field; while also being active in handling the quick inspection devices and in understanding the characteristics and quality of diamond. This helps a great deal in collecting fair and reasonable customs fees, preventing customs duty evasion, distinguishing genuine and fake diamond and ultimately protecting the best interest of the end consumer.
Butti Al Jumairi, Executive Director of Human Resources, Finance and Administration Division, noted that the Diamonds Diploma helps in building the capacities and knowledge of DC employees, granting them more self-competence in dealing with diamonds while adhering to scientifically accurate, transparent and professional international standards on this subject matter. This comes in line with the strategic goals of the organization in facilitating legitimate trade and protecting the society.