The Dubai Central Laboratory, DCL, of Dubai Municipality received 426 inspection requests from visitors who purchased various items during the recently concluded Dubai International Jewellery Week 2017.

The inspection requests concerned more than 12,493 samples of diamonds and other precious and semi-precious stones.

DCL staff were involved in the inspections using the latest technology of Laser and UV based examination, in addition to examining precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum to determine whether the calibre corresponds to the hallmarks or not, using an X-ray machine.

Amin Ahmed, Director of DCL, said that the participation of the lab in the event has enhanced the confidence of visitors in the quality of items traded during the exhibition. "We set up a miniature model of DCL showcasing our services to the public and the markets of the emirate. Our participation had three main focuses: the examination of valuable collectables, control and inspection and verification of the accuracy of electronic scales," he said.

Aisha Al Mazrouei, Head of the Gemstones and Precious Metals Unit at the Consumer Materials and Commodities Lab Section, said that the DCL stall at the exhibition contained a mini lab that examined and analysed precious stones and metals on behalf of visitors.

"In addition to that, our trained officials were involved in advising visitors on ways to evaluate the quality of diamonds and the most important points to be taken into account in the purchase of jewellery. They also answered questions from visitors in the field of precious stones and precious metals, who were delighted with the service provided by Dubai Municipality," she said.

Ismail Almas, Head of the Product Quality Control Division, said that inspectors sent 218 inspection requests for various samples, which included precious stones and precious metals.

The participation of the Metrology Labs Section highlighted the role of legal metrology that showed how to perform the legal metrological verification on the electronic scales used in weighing precious metals and jewelry.