Director at American Institute of Diamond Cutting Incorporated, Nizam Peters, presents Manager of Geological Services, Kampta Persaud, with his certificate. Looking on (right) is Vice President, American Institute of Diamond Cutting Incorporated, Leslie Peters.

The participants who completed the training were Trevor Hurry, Paul Welch, Deokumar Lachman, Vickram Manoo, Kampta Persaud, Dharampaul Chandan of the GGMC; Albino Tavanes, Excel Mineral’s; Akash Persaud, Crown Mining Supplies; Walter Drupe, Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association; and Edwin Bess.

Commissioner (acting) of the GGMC, William Woolford, during the closing ceremony, said the training was conducted to enlighten diamond producers about the valuation of diamonds.

Woolford encouraged the participants to build on the knowledge acquired and impart it to others.

“All of you could recognise that you have a chance, as a Guyanese, of becoming a world expert in your field and in the things that you are chosen to do…We want to encourage you, our youngsters and our older people alike, to continue to improve,” he said.

He further challenged them to continue pursuing knowledge in the application of their jobs and for their personal benefit.

Manager-Geological Services, Kampta Persaud, expressed gratitude to the Vice-President of American Institute of Diamond Cutting Incorporated Leslie Peters, for playing a pivotal role in providing the training free of cost.

“We have had training, but this is the most intense, well-organised and well-received training…We must thank Mr. Peters for that. We have the right equipment here which is very simple and relevant to our needs,” he said.

Mr. Peters said that the institute was founded in the 1980s and has been in the industry for many years, not only in the training of diamond-cutting and coloured diamonds, but business management and marketing and other courses.

He said the institution is also active in the industry working on a regular basis cutting and polishing diamonds for manufacturers world-wide.

Peters said the four-day workshop entailed training in the aspects of rough diamonds, manufacturing techniques, pricing, colours and a diverse range of areas in rough diamond and specific valuing of rough diamonds. (GINA)