Antwerp Diamonds & Facts

ANTWERP Diamonds
Antwerp represents an annual turnover in diamonds of over 25 billion USD.
Antwerp has a long and magnificent tradition as a diamond city. Since the 15th Century the city has played an important role in the diamond trade and industry. Today it is the most important diamond trade centre in the world and covers one square kilometre in the city. More than 40% of industrial diamonds, 85% of rough diamonds and 50% of the world's cut diamonds are traded here.

history of Antwerp and diamonds.
In the 15th century Antwerp took over diamond trading from Bruges and became the most important city of the Netherlands. By the beginning of the 16th century, Antwerp had become the world centre for diamond trade and industry. Throughout its Golden Age, Antwerp accounted for some 40% of the world trade passing through its port.
With the struggle for independence against Spain, the tide turned. Antwerp fell to the Spanish in 1585, causing a great number of inhabitants – among which many skilled workmen – to flee to Amsterdam. Thus, diamond trade and industry moved away from Antwerp in the 17th century. However, as of the end of the 19th century, Antwerp recovered. Discoveries in Zaire and South Africa brought forth a stream of rough stones, which in turn contributed greatly to Antwerp’s status as the world’s leading diamond centre.
After World War II, the Antwerp World Diamond Center really boomed promoted by the Belgian government and the Antwerp Diamond High Council - HRD -. An independent non profit institute in Antwerp for the Diamond industry. The HRD offers reliable impartial Diamond certification controlled by Belgian state authorities. HRD offers also incentives for the jewellery trade, by organising the HRD Awards and patronising a number of jewellery trade fairs.

Antwerp diamond district
Best diamond prices
The diamond sector accounts for 7.5% of all Belgian exports, which means the sector is an important economic mainstay and ambassador for the country. At the basis of the Antwerp World Diamond Center lies its efficient infrastructure. Concentrated near Antwerp Central station on a top security area of merely two square miles, it comprises more than 1,500 diamond companies and four Diamond Exchanges ('Diamond Bourses'). It is the very source for antwerp diamond shopping: diamonds incentives, buying diamonds in antwerp and finding a diamond dealer or diamond jewellery shop. [Please note: Like in any big diamond city, there are many tourist trap shops around the diamond district, in particular in the street called 'Pelikaansstraat'.] Specialized banks, security and transport companies, diamond bourse brokers, travel agencies, hotels and restaurants are also well represented in the vicinity. The offer is huge and fierce competition makes for razor-sharp prices. The international character of the Antwerp diamond district is a paragon of universal hospitality and cultural melting-pot. Antwerp is one of the world's great artistic, historic and tourist centers and the diamond world can take some of the credit for this image.

Diamond jewellery
The most important sight holders of the Diamond Trading Company (former De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd) reside in Antwerp. What’s more, Antwerp’s brilliance is not restricted to diamonds only. The city also enjoys international renown as trade centre for precious stones such as rubies, sapphires, emeralds etc.
The diamond trade and production go hand in hand in Antwerp. The quality label ‘cut in Antwerp’ testifies to the superb skill of Antwerp’s diamond workers. Extensive training programmes in diamond schools and experimental workshops guarantee the transfer of traditional expertise as well as the constant use of new technology.
With its prominent position in trade and production, Antwerp was bound to develop a step stone for the production of diamond jewellery. Today, Belgian fashion and jewellery designers are famous.