Dubai unveils AI-driven self-service smart lab for gold and jewellery testing at GITEX 2025

The Dubai Central Laboratory, in collaboration with the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, has introduced a precious-metal testing unit, available at the Gold Souk, capable of delivering purity results for gold, silver and platinum in under one minute

Dubai: During the GITEX GLOBAL 2025 event, the Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL) of the Dubai Municipality revealed a pioneering smart self-service device designed for assessing the purity of precious metals including gold, silver and platinum. The launch marks the first device of its kind globally, providing results in under one minute without human intervention. 
 
The new system employs a combination of spectroscopic analysis, X-ray technology and artificial intelligence to analyse a sample’s metal content and certify its purity. According to the laboratory’s management, the device supports remote monitoring, self-calibration and integrated traceability to ensure consistency in test outcomes. 

The initiative is a result of collaboration between the Dubai Central Laboratory and the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG), which brings together trade players, manufacturers and experts in the jewellery sector. This partnership underlines the emirate’s strategy to strengthen its position as a global hub for gold and jewellery trade while advancing service standards within the market. 
 
Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafi, acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, commented that the system represents a “transformative leap” in the way precious metals are tested and verified. She emphasised the laboratory’s commitment to technological innovation and delivering services in line with international testing norms. 
 
Eng. Hind Mahmoud Ahmed, Director of the Dubai Central Laboratory Department, added that the design of the device placed strong emphasis on user-experience and operational safety. She noted that the autonomous, intelligent design enables rapid emergency response and seamless integration with the laboratory’s digital systems. She also emphasised the value of real-time performance monitoring, self-maintenance and sustained reliability. 
 
The first unit of the smart testing device will be installed at the renowned Dubai Gold Souk in Deira, following which further roll-out is planned across strategic locations in the emirate. The move supports the Municipality’s broader objective to implement a fully integrated testing ecosystem to reinforce the gold and jewellery sector’s integrity and international standing. 
 
The Dubai Central Laboratory has been in operation since 1997, combining all of Dubai Municipality’s laboratory services into a unified structure and holding accreditation for various testing and calibration standards. The laboratory’s accreditation covers precious stones and metals and includes the ISO/IEC 17025 standard among others. 
For the jewellery industry in Dubai, the deployment of this autonomous device could raise the bar on speed, precision and transparency in precious-metal verification. As the global jewellery supply chain becomes increasingly complex, such innovation aligns with expectations for advanced services and regulatory compliance. 
 
As the device becomes operational in the commercial market, jewellery-trade stakeholders will monitor its impact on verification processes, compliance workflows and the potential implications for downstream logistics and certification practices. 

The Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL) is part of Dubai Municipality, based in Dubai, UAE. It specialises in testing and calibration services, particularly for precious metals, and serves laboratories and industry across the region. 
 
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