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A Glittering History
Diamonds have been processed in Flanders since
the fifteenth century when the Portuguese discovered a direct
route from India (then the world's primary producer) and the
rough stones were brought to Bruges from Lisbon
and Venice to be crafted. With the silting up of the
river in Bruges, Antwerp became the new center of trade
and has never looked back. More than 85 percent of the world's
rough diamonds, 50 percent of its cut-diamonds and 40 percent
of industrial diamonds are traded in Antwerp, making it the
world's undisputed diamond center.
Tour the Diamond District
The diamond district is a three-square block area housing
brokerages, cutters, cleaners, and grading houses. It's a
fascinating place to wander round. You'll see Hasidic Jewish
men with their black hats (Antwerp is known as the Jerusalem
of Europe and the diamond trade has been inextricably bound
to the fortunes of its Jewish population) stroll past Armani
clad Indian businessmen (Gujaratis have displaced them
now as the biggest players in the business, claiming a 65%
share of revenues). Couriers pass with briefcases chained
to their wrists and cameras record every move (it's the most
secure area of Belgium after the inner sanctum of the capital
building).
For your best introduction to the processing of diamonds
and the history of the trade, go to the interactive Diamond
Museum. If you want to buy diamonds you may well enjoy
a trip to Diamond Land, the biggest diamond show room
in Antwerp (1000 square meters). Here you can get a tour of
its factory where we can see cleaving, sawing, bruting, polishing
and the international rules for grading diamonds, treating
subjects like carat, colour, cut, and clarity. |
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