The certification service is available to customers and traders at the Gems and Precious Material Unit at Dubai Central Laboratory.

The laboratory tests and analyses diamonds and other gemstones in addition to gold jewellery, and issues certificates containing details of their quality.

Dubai has more than 1,000 jewellery shops and is renowned as one of the best places in the world to buy gold and diamond jewellery.

"We have the first laboratory of its kind in the Middle East, which is equipped with the best quality checking systems available in the world," said Abdullah Al Shaibani, Assistant Director-General for Technical Services at the Municipality.

He said the main aim of this facility was to ensure customers got quality gold and diamond jewellery, while traders had the confidence of customers in the quality of the product they are selling.

The certificates will include grading reports and carry the Dubai Municipality logo. They will give customers a clear description of an item including carat weight, colour, clarity and cut.

"Since Dubai is the centre of gold and jewellery in the region, we want to ensure that no customer faces any problem while buying gemstones or gold jewellery," Al Shaibani said.

He said that traders could obtain a certificate to add credibility to the product they sold and satisfy customers about the quality of the product they are buying.

The department also carries out random checks at jewellery shops to make sure traders stick to quality standards.

Inspectors from the laboratory visit about 10 shops every day to collect samples.

Customers can also bring their gold and diamond jewellery for testing and certification. They can also complain if they feel they were cheated by traders.

The laboratory also has a facility to inspect electrical and electronic equipment.