Whiteflash-Diamond Playground

From Rapaport - HRD Antwerp successfully conducted its first Certified Diamond Grader Course in Mumbai, India. Professionals from India’s top diamond houses were trained in this batch. In line with the HRD Antwerp standards of excellence, the intensive two week program was conducted by an experienced HRD Education instructor and included training in the principles of diamond optics, grading, identification and imitation detection. Students were given extensive hands-on experience with a microscope and a loupe to help make them expert diamond graders. Guest of honor, celebrated jewellery designer Queenie Dhody, graciously gave away diploma certificates to students who had successfully completed the course at a special ceremony in Mumbai today. Devika Gidwani, COO and country head for India at HRD Antwerp Institute of Gemmology, said, “It gives me great pleasure to see HRD Antwerp’s world-class education programmes make their debut in India. HRD Education satisfies a very real need for professional training of the highest international standards at a reasonable cost. The support of diamantaires for our program here has been tremendous and the feedback from our students very encouraging.” “In the coming years we look forward to conducting our programs in every major city in the country and will provide diamond professionals with an opportunity to become expert diamond graders, on par with the best international graders,” concluded Gidwani. Gidwani also announced a scholarship for the Overall Outstanding Student of the Year at the SNDT Jasani Department of Jewellery Design and Manufacture. The chosen student will be part of the next batch of HRD Certified Diamond Graders.