The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) shone the spotlight on the pearling heritage of Bahrain and Russia at a seminar on the sidelines of the International Jewelry Exhibition (JUNWEX) in St. Petersburg.

DANAT CEO Kenneth Scarratt said DANAT’s participation in JUNWEX is a testament to what the company has achieved in the gemmological field in less than two years. “DANAT is one of the important projects to be implemented as part of the continuous pursuit of the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and plays a central role in the preservation of Bahrain’s reputation and historical heritage as a world-class centre for natural pearls,” noted Scarratt.

At the seminar, titled “Pearling History in Bahrain and Russia,” DANAT’s Business Development Manager Ali Al Dailami talked about Bahrain’s pearling heritage and how it remains one of the most important elements of Bahraini culture. Bahrain is the only country in the world, which by law bans the trading of cultured pearls, according to DANAT.

Al Dailami also spoke about the relevance of freshwater pearls in Russian history and compared scientific elements between freshwater and saltwater pearls, which are found in the Arabian Gulf region. Al Dailami said the first pearl grading system for natural pearls will be implemented by DANAT and the Pearl Symposium and will take place in Bahrain alongside the CIBJO Congress this year. DANAT’s scientific authentication reports were also on display, showcasing the different types of reports produced for pearl, gemstones and jewellery items.