The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has opened its largest diamond certifying laboratory facility in the Middle East in Dubai's Almas Tower, Diamond Jewelry reports.

The new diamond grading lab will feature the latest in diamond technology and will grade and certify loose diamonds, diamond jewelry, and colored gemstones. Moreover, it will serve as an educational center of the IGI School of Gemology, offering courses and seminars on subjects ranging from Professional Jewelry Design to Pearl Grading.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of the Dubati Multi Commodities Center (DMCC), spoke at the laboratory's inauguration, saying that the Almas Tower provided a "range of industry-specific facilities designed to encourage the trade of diamonds through Dubai."

The DMCC was looking forward to working with the IGI and the some 300 regional and international precious gemstone companies operating in Almas.

IGI CEO Roland Lorie said that Dubai's diamond trade was experiencing accelerated growth. As recently as 1996, the local jewelry market was still largely focused on gold. In 1997, the IGI began offering its courses in collaboration with the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group, and some 2,500 students have taken part in the organization's programs since then.

Today, diamonds represent over 50% of the jewelry trade in Dubai. Dubai's diamond trade volume more than doubled in the first half of 2010, reaching $16.3 billion. In January 2011, $7.2 million worth of polished diamonds were sold at auction in Dubai, the first sales event of its kind in the Middle East.