Established in 2017, at the instigation of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Deputy King, Crown Prince of Bahrain and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat) was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat), the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom, with the vision to become the world’s preferred institute for natural pearl and gemstones third party verification services and scientific research.
History
As a reflection of Bahrain’s pearling history and the strong desire to protect this heritage, the Pearl & Gem Testing Laboratory in Bahrain was established in 1990 and became part of a Directorate within the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture (now the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism) via Amiri Decree No. 10 (The same law prohibits anyone from altering a testing certificate issued by the Laboratory, issuing a testing certificate which is falsely attributed it to the Laboratory, effecting a change or replacing any pearl after testing and then selling it with the original certificate issued by the Laboratory). It was the first such Laboratory to be established in the Middle East and since establishment has developed a positive reputation within the Middle East and beyond. The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat) was established in 2017 to take over, enhance, and expand upon the excellent work of the Pearl & Gem Testing Laboratory of Bahrain.
Reporting
Licenced by the Bahrain Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Tourism, Danat examines pearls and gemstones, providing clients with various reports authenticating and verifying their materials. Danat provides both standard and enhanced report formats strictly in accordance with published fee schedules.
Research
To support the various report outcomes and protect the trade and consumer alike, Danat scientists and researchers apply a stringent research and verification process. A team of research gemmologists travel yearround to collect pearl and gemstone samples from pearling beds, mine sites, and treatment centres around the world. These are brought back toBahrain where their properties are studied in-depth. The highly qualified staff are supported by the department’s wide array of scientific instrumentation, including UV/visible, FTIR, EDXRF and Raman spectrophotometers, numerous real - time microradiography units, micro CT units, as well as LA-ICP-MS. Research results are then presented through various scientific as well as simplified verbal and written presentations throughout the year.
Training
As part of its commitment to develop the local industry and human capital, Danat is offering a training programme to introduce the new generation of Bahraini graduates to gemmology. The training programme includes the use of classic gemmological analytical instruments while educating graduates in the field on gems’ geological genesis and biomineralization, gem treatments and gem synthesis as well as the various features identified for testing including assessments of colour, measurements and treatment of stones.
Reports
At DANAT, we know that acquiring pearls and gemstones can be an expensive business, so it pays to have them verified and authenticated professionally. We take the authentication process to the next level, to deliver authentication as it should be. We do so through our fabled history of pearl authentication.
We understand that we have a critical role in protecting the jewellery industry and the consumer and that people rely on us for credibility and their reputations. So as an institute, our research provides a critical role in protecting the trade and the consumer alike. As a result of this research, we produce 3 distinct reports styles which provide high-quality authentication that give trust and confidence by ensuring the pearl or gemstone is accurately described, verified and authentic.
For more information please visit: www.danat.bh
