HRD Antwerp and Gübelin Gem Lab have expanded their grading services in the Middle East, launching new operations in Dubai.
HRD Antwerp officially inaugurated its new office and laboratory in the Almas Tower in Dubai in the presence of Belgian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rik Van Droogenbroeck and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) CEO Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the organization said last week. The new site will increase the European company’s grading capacity in the Middle East by 20%, it added.
HRD Antwerp, a subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), has operated in the city since 2022. It currently serves around 500 clients across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including jewelry manufacturers, retailers and polished-diamond traders. To support its growing operations, the company expects to add approximately 10 employees to its Dubai team.
Meanwhile, Gübelin Gem Lab has launched its Take-In Window in the Almas Tower. Daniel Nyfeler, managing director of the Swiss company, alongside representatives of DMCC, DMCC Luxury Innovation Center (DLIC), Originalluxury and HUXE group, attended the opening.
The Take-In Window is a designated logistics partner, giving jewelers, traders and private clients access to the Gübelin lab for testing. The gemstones, diamonds and pearls will be received in Dubai, securely transported to the laboratory in Switzerland for origin determination, and returned with the accompanying report.
Image: Almas Tower in Dubai. (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)
