MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
GradingNov 15, 2017
Bahrain Opens Pearl and Gem Laboratory
Kenneth Scarratt, an industry veteran and one of the world’s foremost authorities on natural pearls, has been named CEO.
The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat) has opened to help bolster the country’s position as a center for gem expertise and research.
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain--As part of an effort to revive the pearling industry in Bahrain, a new gemstone grading laboratory has opened in the country.
Bahrain has been known for its pearls for centuries, supplying about 80 percent of the world’s total, and making up the mainstay of its economy, until the 1930s when competition from cheaper cultured pearls from Japan effectively shut the industry down.
In 1990, the country established the Pearl & Gem Testing Laboratory within the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture.
Now, established with the support of the government, the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat) has been formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company. It was set up to take over, enhance and expand upon the work of the aforementioned lab, according to the Danat website.
Located in Bahrain’s World Trade Centre, Danat will serve both the local and global markets and collaborate with leading institutes and labs from around the world.
Mumtalakat tapped Kenneth Scarratt, one of the world’s foremost authorities on natural pearls and a more-than-40-year industry veteran, as its CEO.
Scarratt’s leadership and research roles in the industry have included managing director of Southeast Asia for the Gemological Institute of America; laboratory Director for the AGTA Gemological Testing Center in New York; director, laboratory services, education and research at the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences in Bangkok; and CEO and director of laboratory services at the Gemmological Association and Gem Testing Laboratory of Great Britain.
He also has published more than 100 articles and research papers, delivered lectures and trainings in different countries, worked on several high level special projects and co-authored a number of books including “The Crown Jewels” and “The Pearl and The Dragon.”
Danat’s range of services and products currently include verification and authentication reports, scientific research, analysis of pearls and gemstones and ongoing training programs in gemology.
The lab will form a board of directors to help guide its development.
As a sponsor of regional gem and jewelry show Jewellery Arabia, running from Nov. 21 to 26., Danat will have a presence at the event with a booth that will include a complimentary advice center for those selling or purchasing gem materials, displays of unusual pearls and gemstones, history perspectives, short gemological presentations, a VIP lounge and a display of Danat’s product range.
More on Grading
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
