Prominent jewellers say initiative will raise emirate's profile as a hub

Dubai: The Pearls of Arabia project is expected to give more visibility to pearls within the jewellery sector.

People in the industry described the initiative as a "proactive step" that will raise Dubai's profile as a hub for pearls along with gold and diamond.

"When there was nothing, there were pearls. Natural pearls from here used to get big price in foreign markets. Reviving this trade in Dubai is going to attract a lot of attention," said Naheed Anees, director of ARY's fine jewellery division.

Chetan Karani, managing director of Pearl Enterprises, similarly welcomed the upcoming pearl hub. "Pearls have been part of the heritage of Dubai. This project will bring pearls into the limelight again and it will be good for the future of the local jewellery industry," he said.

Traders expect consumer awareness and pearl supplies to increase in the country.

"Currently we are importing all our pearls. If we can buy locally, we will be able to sell more," said Sameer Mavani, head of Rosy Blue's colour stone division.

"All jewellery companies will take this move positively. Having a source of pearls in your backyard is always better than buying from outside. The DMCC is being proactive and taking everyone along. It is good for the industry," he said.

Major pearl producers are China, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines and Tahiti.

A natural pearl occurs by accident in an oyster. In case of cultured pearls, the man introduces the catalyst that starts the pearl formation process. Not every oyster makes a pearl and natural pearls command a high price, Karani points out.

According to Anees, cultured pearls are "nearly as good" as natural pearls. "Although man initiates the process, nature takes over and the pearl is formed naturally," she said.

There are several types of cultured pearls. Prominent among them are Akoya pearls, freshwater pearls, South Sea pearls and black pearls from Tahiti.