Dubai’s Diamond Industry Charted a New Course at the Seventh Global Conference
The seventh Dubai Diamond Conference brought together government officials and international industry leaders to examine the structural challenges facing the natural diamond sector and explore coordinated strategies to strengthen consumer demand and unlock new value.
The seventh Dubai Diamond Conference convened in the emirate, drawing senior government officials and leading figures from the global diamond industry to contemplate the sector’s future. Held under the theme Diamond 2.0: A Strategic Reset – Reigniting Desire, Unlocking New Value, the gathering assembled representatives from major producing, trading and consumer markets, alongside manufacturers, retailers, financial institutions, investors and technology specialists.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, delivered the keynote address, emphasising that the UAE has solidified its position as a leading global hub for diamond trade, connecting every stage of the value chain from production and manufacturing to trade, investment and retail. He noted that rapid shifts within the industry, driven by evolving consumer preferences and technological advancement, necessitate a proactive approach to anticipating the sector’s future and enhancing its capacity to adapt to global changes. The Minister stressed that the UAE pursues a clear vision to develop an integrated ecosystem for the diamond industry, built upon expanding trade, increasing value-added contributions, fostering innovation, and upholding trust and transparency.
The conference marked the release of The Swiss Parallel, a new report developed by DMCC and ORIGINALLUXURY that examines how the Swiss mechanical watch industry transformed its market positioning to establish enduring consumer appeal and investment value. The report sets out seven strategic moves for the natural diamond industry, spanning differentiation, authentication, collective governance and the development of new investment infrastructure. Throughout proceedings, delegates examined how stronger differentiation, transparent valuation and credible pricing mechanisms could support the natural diamond sector.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, reflected on the industry’s defining moment. He noted that the pressures facing the sector extend well beyond supply and demand, touching producing countries, manufacturing centres and the communities dependent upon them. He emphasised that reigniting consumer desire, restoring confidence and unlocking new value will require decisive, coordinated action from mine to retailer, and highlighted the role of specialist diamond banking in supporting the sector’s development.
DMCC announced a new education partnership between the Dubai Design Academy and HRD Antwerp, Europe’s leading authority in diamond and jewellery grading. Under the agreement, HRD Antwerp will deliver a comprehensive programme of professional courses spanning diamond grading, gemmology, jewellery design and other specialist technical disciplines. Participants who successfully complete the programmes will receive internationally recognised diplomas issued by HRD Antwerp. Paul De Wachter, Chief Executive Officer of HRD Antwerp, noted that knowledge forms the foundation of trust in the industry, and that the partnership brings HRD Antwerp’s expertise to a new generation of professionals in the UAE.
The conference also featured the unveiling of the Infinity diamond, an exceptional 888.88-carat fancy black natural diamond. Originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the diamond was fashioned from a 1,138-carat rough stone acquired in 1975 on behalf of De Beers. In 2013, the Gemological Institute of America documented it as the largest single-crystal natural diamond it had examined and reported on at that time. The rough diamond underwent transformation between 2022 and 2024 into the finished Infinity diamond, presented in Dubai as a rare opportunity for international industry leaders to examine an exceptional natural diamond and consider the significance of provenance, rarity and craftsmanship in defining enduring value.
During the conference’s conclusion, Amit Dhamani, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Dhamani Jewels Group, announced the launch of the Dubai Cut – Dhamani Boutique, the first dedicated retail location in the world to showcase the iconic Dubai Cut diamond. The launch marks a milestone for the Dubai Cut, reinforcing its status as one of the industry’s most distinctive natural diamond creations.
The conference takes place as Dubai continues to consolidate its position as a leading international centre for diamond trade. In 2025, Dubai recorded US$41.7 billion in diamond trade across 359.5 million carats, setting new records in both value and volume in the same year for the first time. Natural diamonds accounted for 95.8 per cent of total diamond trade value, whilst Dubai’s natural rough diamond trade reached US$21.2 billion. Discussions throughout the conference also explored the potential for tokenisation, fractional ownership and digital infrastructure to expand access to diamond assets and support the development of more sophisticated secondary markets, developments that reflect the broader transformation reshaping financial infrastructure in the UAE.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
The conference represents a significant moment for the diamond industry across the broader UAE, positioning both Abu Dhabi and Dubai as central players in shaping the sector’s future. The focus on developing an integrated ecosystem, strengthening professional education and standards, and exploring new investment structures underscores the ambition to expand the region’s role beyond trading into higher-value activities including design, manufacturing, professional services and industry education. These developments support the UAE’s strategic vision of attracting global talent and investment to the emirate.
The emphasis on innovation, transparency and new market structures reflected in discussions about tokenisation and digital infrastructure aligns with the UAE’s broader commitment to technological advancement and financial sophistication. The establishment of new educational partnerships and the development of Dubai Cut as a distinctive product further reinforces the UAE’s position as a centre for craftsmanship, creativity and value creation, strengthening the foundation upon which the nation’s reputation in international trade continues to grow.
Source: WAM
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