Antwerp diamond district

Location and Surroundings

• Adjacent to the Central Station (Antwerp Centraal)
• A few minutes walk to Meir, Antwerp's main shopping street
• The Antwerp Zoo is nearby
• Numerous restaurants, bars, and cafes around the district

History

• Antwerp has been a focus of the diamond trade since the 15th century
• Lodewyk van Berken invented the scaif, a new form of diamond polishing tool, in Antwerp
• Charles the Bold commissioned him to cut and polish the Florentine Diamond
• Diamond industry established in Antwerp by families of diamond traders and manufacturers from Amsterdam in the 1890s
• Decline in the industry starting in the 1960s, with some business moving to India

Diamond Trade

• 84% of the world's rough diamonds pass through the district
• Approximately 50% of rough diamonds return to Antwerp for cutting and polishing each year
• Over $16 billion in polished diamonds pass through the district's exchanges annually
• 380 workshops serve 1,500 companies
• 3,500 brokers, merchants, and diamond cutters in the district

Trading Exchanges

• Antwerp World Diamond Centre is located within the district
• Four trading exchanges, including the Diamond Club of Antwerp and the Beurs voor Diamanthandel
• The Antwerpsche Diamantkring and the Vrije Diamanthandel are also present
• Founded by Hasidic diamantaires
• Dominated by Jewish, Jain Indians, Maronites Christian Lebanese, and Armenian dealers

Notable Events and Facts

• The Antwerp diamond heist occurred in February 2003, with jewelry valued at over $100 million stolen
• Antwerp has avoided European sanctions against Russia, with the industry claiming 10,000 jobs at risk if banned
• Antwerp is known as the capital when it comes to diamonds
• Over 80% of Antwerp's Jewish population works in the diamond trade
• No business is conducted on Saturdays in the district

Antwerp diamond district Data Sources