DANAT concludes six-day ‘Pearl Program’ course with flying colours

TDT | Manama   

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) has organised the “Pearl Program”. The program is an integrated training course that combined everything on natural, cultured and imitation pearls with a snorkeling expedition and a visit to the Pearling Path (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Bahrain.

The six-day course offered a holistic approach to pearl studies. This included analysis of pearls using basic gemological tools and fundamental scientific instruments to characterise pearls such as X-ray microradiography, X-ray microcomputed tomography, X-ray luminescence and EDXRF.

Studies were accompanied by laboratory sessions and practical experience with pearl and shell samples from DANAT’s collection. “This course was part of DANAT’s efforts to train, qualify, and improve the capabilities of more cadres in this significant field, in addition to enhancing awareness of the heritage of pearls in Bahrain, and its role in the economic and social development,” DANAT CEO Noora Jamsheer said. Jamsheer said that course participants were able to build a better understanding of pearls, with a focus on natural pearls, noting that the institute will organise a similar course in June.

“DANAT offers these training courses as part of its core objective to develop the Bahraini pearl sector within the framework of the Kingdom’s national plan, and to enhance the Kingdom’s reputation as a leading center of expertise in the field of pearls and gemstones, as part of the Bahrain Economic 2030 vision,” she said.