Antwerp-diamonds: Antwerp has a long and magnificent tradition as a diamond city

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.

For Antwerp everything started in Venice around the year 1200. All the treasures of the Middle East and Azia were shipped through Venice into Europe, and mostly to Bruges. But when the port of Bruges had to close because of the upcoming mud, everything moved to Antwerp as well as the diamond industry. Nowadays the diamond sector accounts for 8% of all Belgian exports, which means the sector is an important economic mainstay and ambassador for the country. The diamond district is located near Central station.

Thousands of Antwerp diamond workers actively work on a daily basis to uphold the reputation of the international quality label 'Cut in Antwerp'. A constructive vision of the future, backed by five centuries of tradition, a thorough professional training and state-of-the-art applied research vouch for the high level of quality.

Visitors who are interested in seeing highly-skilled craftsmen who bring out the colour and light in a stone and turn it into the perfect diamond, must visit the 1,000 m2 diamond showroom of Diamondland. Diamond setters and cutters can be seen at work. Free guided visits are scheduled daily at 11 hrs. Free 20 minute tours for groups, upon reservation, in different languages.