More than 150 experts from the industry, trade, education, design and the finance sector will discuss many issues pertaining to the pearl industry at an upcoming conference in Abu Dhabi.

The International Pearl Conference will be held under the theme "Pearls, Gems '&' Jewellery" from November 10 to 14 at the Emirates Palace Hotel.

The five-day event was developed by the non-profit Pearl Revival Committee to encourage renewed interest in pearls in the Middle East.

The conference will be presented under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the General Women's Union and of the Family Development Foundation.

''Our aim is to highlight Abu Dhabi as the world's capital of the natural pearls, where there were about 200 pearl diving localities out of 412 in the Gulf area. We would also like to express to the world our long history of this precious jewel and the status that it holds. Today we are witnessing unprecedented luster for this jewel on the global scale as it gains market share,'' said Khaled Al Sayegh, chairman, Pearl Revival Committee.

Delma island, in Abu Dhabi, he added, is the pearl island where pearls traders from the Gulf used to visit and trade during the pearl season twice a year.

''From our first conference in 2006, we have held two more conferences one in 2007 and in 2009, the team at Pearl Revival Committee continues to unite the communities and has brought together collectors, specialists and educationists from all parts of the world to interact and hold discussions on the topic. We have discussed foundations, insurance issues and teachings while spreading the culture of pearls, promoting it globally,” Al Sayegh said.

In collaboration with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Pearl Revival Committee has initiated and completed precious studies on pearls from around the Gulf, the first of its kind in the region.

''We have also done other study with Dubai laboratory, gems and precious stones laboratory of Thailand and the University of the Thai Cheng Mai to have technical study on all kinds, colors, sizes, composition and the quality of the Arabian Gulf pearls,” he added.

This conference aims to highlight the precious pearl and be able to integrate the jewel to complement gems and jewelry industry. The forum will also feature a pearls, gems and jewellery exhibition, which will be held for the first time.

The exhibition will showcase collection from Sotheby's especially flown in for the event, diamonds pieces of fine jewelry from Antwerp by Anna Novak, a rare collection of exquisite jewelry by G-International UK, a rare fossil pearl estimated to be millions of years old and precious design pieces organized by Glory Art, among others.

“At the gala dinner on November 14, we will have a special fashion event by Sheikha Hind bint Faisal Al Qassimi and a charity auction of jewellery contributed by various jewellery brands. Sotheby's will be the official auctioneers for the event,” Al Sayegh said. – TradeArabia News Service