The search for the perfect diamond – a symbol of eternal love and the quest for perfection – has always been associated with the city of Antwerp.  Belgium’s largest port has rightfully earned its position as the diamond industry’s global capital because it is a location of profound significance for the international diamond trade.

Antwerp has solidified its reputation as the global diamond capital for centuries, a distinction forged through relentless innovation and craftsmanship. The city’s dominance in the industry originated over five centuries ago, when merchants first imported raw gems from India through its bustling port. Local artisans and traders soon established Antwerp as an unrivaled hub, combining meticulous precision with an expansive array of offerings. By the 16th century, their expertise eclipsed even Parisian rivals, attracting patrons such as King François I of France, who commissioned bespoke pieces from Antwerp’s master cutters—a testament to the city’s ascendancy in transforming rough stones into symbols of artistry and prestige. This legacy of excellence continues to underpin Antwerp’s enduring prominence in the diamond trade.

Founded in 1973, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) is a preeminent institution and the official representative body overseeing Belgium’s diamond industry. Strategically situated in Antwerp’s historic diamond district on Hoveniersstraat, the AWDC regulates and facilitates the global flow of diamonds through the city’s port, managing both imports and exports with precision. As the epicenter of the international diamond trade, Antwerp hosts the headquarters of leading mining corporations, whose ethically sourced gems supply a vast network of over 1,500 dealers and artisans worldwide. This unparalleled concentration of expertise and resources cements Antwerp’s enduring role as the nexus of diamond innovation, commerce, and craftsmanship.

How and When It All Began – A Tale of Diamond Traditions:

Antwerp has always been a place where opportunities abound. The diamond industry, which started in the 15th century, grew a lot as it became a trading route that went from Europe to India, where the first trade in rough diamonds had started. The diamond district of Antwerp is where the four most important diamond markets are located, each with its expertise:

– The Beurs voor Diamanthandel specializes in polished diamonds
– The Diamond Club van Antwerpen specializes in polished and rough diamonds
– The Vrije Diamanthandel specializes in polished and rough diamonds
– The Antwerpse Diamantkring specializes in rough diamonds.

By the late 15th century, Antwerp had emerged as Europe’s preeminent diamond hub, leveraging its strategic position along the Scheldt River, which granted unrivaled access to the North Sea and global trade routes. The city’s diamond legacy traces to 1447, when municipal records first documented the trade, accompanied by a magistrate’s decree criminalizing the sale of counterfeit gemstones—an early safeguard of its burgeoning reputation. A transformative breakthrough arrived in 1476 with Lodewyk van Berken’s invention of the scaif, a revolutionary polishing wheel that unlocked diamonds’ full brilliance through precisely faceted cuts, captivating Europe’s elite.

This innovation coincided with a cultural shift: Archduke Maximilian of Austria’s 1477 gift of a diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy not only ignited a royal tradition but also cemented Antwerp’s dominance. Together, these milestones propelled the city into an era of unassailable prominence, intertwining technological ingenuity, regal patronage, and geographic advantage to forge its enduring diamond empire.

Antwerp’s position in the diamond trade grew stronger with the discovery of a direct sea route to India by the Portuguese mariner Vasco da Gama in 1498. This resulted in a shift in the trade balance from Venice to Lisbon. The relatively easy passage between Lisbon and Antwerp allowed the port to continue to consolidate its position in the diamond trade and industry.

After the end of the Second World War, the vibrant Jewish community dominated this industry, elevating Antwerp to its status of an epic center of world diamond trade. With the birth of a new market for diamond jewelry, there was finally a place where discerning customers could source the sought-after stones. Today, about 1.500 diamond firms are headquartered in Antwerp, which is by far the largest concentration in the industry. South African, Australian, Russian, and Canadian mines directly ship diamonds to Antwerp.

85% of the world’s rough diamonds, 50% of the polished diamonds and 40% of industrial diamonds are passing through the diamond district — highlighting its status as the diamond capital of the world.

The Road to Exclusivity:

The Antwerp Diamond District or Diamond Quarter (Diamantkwartier), which is an area of about one square mile, is the largest diamond center in the world, with a turnover of $54 billion a year. The district has 380 workshops that provide 1.500 companies with gem cutting and polishing services. Antwerp’s diamond district consists of several square blocks directly adjacent to the Central Station (Antwerp Centraal) and is a few minutes’ walk to Meir, Antwerp’s main shopping street. The original merchants and diamond dealers who brought their families from Amsterdam to establish the diamond industry in the 1890s still live in that area of the town.

For centuries, Antwerp has reigned as the unrivaled epicenter of diamond excellence. Embodying a legacy of peerless craftsmanship and timeless sophistication. As the world’s preeminent diamond nexus, it continues to command reverence as a bastion of unparalleled opulence and diversity, where tradition and innovation converge. Its storied bourses and ateliers, steeped in centuries of artistry, captivate global fascination, drawing connoisseurs, collectors, and traders alike to its hallowed halls in pursuit of gems that transcend mere brilliance. Antwerp’s enduring allure—rooted in its heritage of masterful artistry and its unyielding commitment to perfection—ensures its position not merely as a marketplace but as the living heartbeat of the diamond world, where imagination and aspiration are forged into enduring symbols of prestige.

Are you a jewelry salesperson looking to enhance your expertise and sales arguments? Or maybe you simply love diamonds and want to master the art of valuation?

Join us to expand your skills, gain hands-on experience, and unlock new opportunities in the fascinating world of diamonds! Unlock the Secrets of the Diamond Trade!

At the Antwerp Diamond Business Academy, you will master:

✔️ Diamond Assortment & Sizing – Learn to assess and categorize small goods.
✔️ Order Fulfillment – Gain expertise in filling client orders with precision.
✔️ Rapaport Diamond Index – Navigate buying & selling with confidence.
✔️ Quality Assessment – Understand key factors beyond certification.
✔️ Sourcing Strategies – Leverage digital imagery for local & international markets.
✔️ Stock Management & Regulations – Stay compliant with global diamond laws.