Pearl Courses
The Pearl Program
A course that combines the everything on natural, cultured and imitation pearls with a scuba diving or snorkeling expedition and a visit to the Pearling Path (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Course attendees will gain a better understanding of pearls, with a focus on natural pearls, the instrumentation used for their identification, as well as extensive hands-on experience in DANAT’s laboratory.
These technical studies will be complimented by a scuba diving/snorkeling trip, which will be led by a fully qualified scuba diving instructor. A once-in-a- lifetime experience for attendees to develop practical experience and a better understanding of the pearl diving process. Finally, the visit to Bahrain’s historic Pearling Path Trail will offer attendees insights into Bahrain’s millennia old pearling heritage and its contribution to the global natural pearl market from economic and social perspectives.
Pearl Principles
The Pearl Principles Course provides individuals with a uniquely condensed introduction to pearls. Attendees will gain considerable insight into the natural and cultured pearls as well as a basic introduction to the instrumentation needed for their identification. Attendees will also learn about the history of pearls, focusing on Bahrain’s natural pearling heritage and other historically significant natural pearl producers alongside the modern-day dominance of cultured pearls. Attendees will be introduced to the various treatments available to enhance the beauty of natural and cultured pearls as well as the different laboratory equipment used for pearl identification such as basic gemmological tools, X-ray imaging and chemical analysis. The course also provides information about pearl care and cleaning methods.
The history of pearl fishing
The course examines the deep history of pearl fishing and pearl trading in Bahrain and the Gulf, in global context. It will explore the fishery from the origins of pearl fishing in the stone age, more than 8000 years ago, through to the end of Bahrain’s ancient pearl fishery in the 1950s. Highlights include Bahrain’s involvement in the great Roman pearl trade, its subsequent importance in Islamic times, and the peak of the fishery in the 18th-20th c. AD. As well as historical and archaeological evidence for pearls and the pearling industry, the course will also focus on traditional methods of fishing for pearls, and the ways in which pearls were described, graded and traded in historical times. The major pearl markets of the Gulf and the world will be discussed, as well as the reasons for the rapid collapse of the pearling industry in the early-mid 10th century AD. The course will also explore the long-term impact of the pearl fishery on the societies of Bahrain and the Gulf and demonstrate its enduring legacy in the towns and people of Bahrain and the Gulf today.
Gemstone Courses
Gemstone Faceting
A one day private one-on-one class. It includes a short introduction on gem faceting and hands experience with a gemstone provided by DANAT. At the end of the class, the attendees keep the faceted gem along with a DANAT report on the item. DANAT offers the following gemstone cuts – Rose Cut, Brilliant Cut and Emerald Cut. The course is offered in both Arabic and English.
Diamond Principles
The Diamond Principles Course provides individuals with uniquely condensed introduction to diamonds. Attendees will gain considerable insight into the natural, treated and synthetic diamonds as well as a basic introduction to the instrumentation used for their identification and grading.