Ms. Debbie Azar to be a panelist at Dubai Diamond Conference 16-17 October.
The Dubai Diamond Exchange (‘DDE’), a DMCC (‘Dubai Multi Commodities Centre’) platform, will hold an in-depth discussion on the issue of synthetic diamonds on Day 2 of the Dubai Diamond Conference on the theme of ‘Lab-grown diamonds and their disclosure: Is there a problem?’. The panel will be led by moderators Peter Meeus, Chairman of the DDE, and Tim Dabson, a former De Beers executive, who will ask a wide range of leading industry figures whether the current detection equipment available is sufficient to uncover synthetic diamonds mixed with natural stones, if sanctions are strong enough to deter such activity, and whether the diamond trade can get ahead of the curve and not appear to always be simply responding to incidents.
Mr. Meeus said: “The entry of synthetics into the supply chain has been controversial. Set to be a fruitful debate, our panel experts will address this and how to maintain integrity of products and consumer confidence at the Dubai Diamond Conference in October”.
The panellists include Mr. Kevin Ryan, CEO, Damas Jewellery Group; Mr. Ernie Blom, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses; Mr. Tom Moses, Executive Vice President and Chief Research and Laboratory Officer of the Gemological Institute of America; Mr. Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman of India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council; Ms, Ayesha Al Mazrooei, a gemstones expert from the Dubai Central Laboratory, and Ms. Debbie Azar, Co-Founder of Gemological Science International.
“The issue of synthetic, or laboratory-grown, diamonds is one that has grabbed the attention of the industry in recent years as production has grown and the size and quality of synthetic diamonds has improved,” commented Mr. Moses. “From the point of view of industry labs, the need to continuously update detection methodology and instruments is a high priority.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Blom said the WFDB has no issue with synthetic diamonds as a market category, but only with the existence of undisclosed mixing of lab-grown stones into parcels by unethical traders and companies. “The WFDB has 30 affiliated bourses worldwide and around 30,000 members, therefore it is critical that we are able to trade with reassurance. We have no tolerance whatsoever for unethical trading and illicit activity and we would always want to see such people prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I believe that the sanction of being able to eject bourse members is a very real and powerful one.”
“Undisclosed lab grown diamonds are a major threat to our industry. Grading laboratories are essential to ensure the natural pipeline is free of undisclosed lab grown diamonds and consumers worldwide can be confident of their purchases”, concluded Ms. Azhar.
The conference takes place in Dubai’s Almas Tower, the home of the Dubai Diamond Exchange, on October 16-17, and will bring together international leaders of the diamond industry ranging from African Ministers to traders, financiers and world-renowned jewellers. It will enable companies and governments in producing and consuming countries to build relationships and highlight the pivotal role that Dubai plays in the global diamond trade.
The Dubai Diamond Conference app is now available to download on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for delegates and speakers to connect and arrange meetings prior to and during meetings: http://apple.co/2xMHmo3 and https://hubs.ly/H08M74t0.
About the author
Debbie Azar is an experienced executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries. Her entrepreneurial skills and clarity of vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide.
She began her industry career by starting her own successful costume jewelry business. She then expanded her knowledge of the industry with sales, marketing and business development roles at several companies. In 2005, she joined Mark Gershburg to establish GSI. Ms. Azar is an active member of myriad industry organizations and charities; she currently serves as a Board Member of Jewelers for Children. She is also a Forbes Business Council member.
Her strengths include working directly with retail chains and stores to help build their business and brands. She is widely known in the industry for her commitment to meeting customer needs.