Antwerp, Belgium has a storied history that stretches back to the Middle Ages when it emerged as a vital port city along the Scheldt River. Its strategic location made it a bustling center for trade and commerce by the 15th and 16th centuries. This period, known as the "Golden Age of Antwerp," saw the city become one of Europe’s leading commercial hubs, with a thriving market that attracted merchants from across the continent.
The origins of Antwerp’s diamond industry can be traced back to the late 19th century when Jewish diamond traders, fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe, settled in the city. These traders brought with them centuries of expertise in diamond cutting and trading, skills that quickly transformed Antwerp into a focal point of the global diamond trade.
The city's diamond district, also known as the "Square Mile," became a hub where diamonds were bought, sold, and crafted. The establishment of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse in the early 20th century further solidified the city’s status as the diamond capital of the world, setting standards for trade and ensuring Antwerp's place at the center of the diamond industry.
Today, Antwerp remains a critical player in the global diamond industry, handling about 84% of the world’s rough diamonds and 50% of its polished diamonds. The city’s diamond district is home to thousands of traders, cutters, and polishers who work to maintain Antwerp’s reputation for excellence. The diamonds found in Antwerp range from rough stones, which are freshly mined and uncut, to some of the most finely crafted and polished gems in the world. Antwerp is known for its high-quality, ethically sourced diamonds, thanks to the strict regulations employed to verify the authenticity and origins of each stone. This combination of history, expertise, and infrastructure continues to make Antwerp an indispensable part of the global diamond industry.
Leading up to our annual trip to the world's diamond capital, Ware’s will explore the rich history and unlimited selection of diamonds available to us, and you, through our exclusive Antwerp Diamond Club.
The origins of Antwerp’s diamond industry can be traced back to the late 19th century when Jewish diamond traders, fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe, settled in the city. These traders brought with them centuries of expertise in diamond cutting and trading, skills that quickly transformed Antwerp into a focal point of the global diamond trade.
The city's diamond district, also known as the "Square Mile," became a hub where diamonds were bought, sold, and crafted. The establishment of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse in the early 20th century further solidified the city’s status as the diamond capital of the world, setting standards for trade and ensuring Antwerp's place at the center of the diamond industry.
Today, Antwerp remains a critical player in the global diamond industry, handling about 84% of the world’s rough diamonds and 50% of its polished diamonds. The city’s diamond district is home to thousands of traders, cutters, and polishers who work to maintain Antwerp’s reputation for excellence. The diamonds found in Antwerp range from rough stones, which are freshly mined and uncut, to some of the most finely crafted and polished gems in the world. Antwerp is known for its high-quality, ethically sourced diamonds, thanks to the strict regulations employed to verify the authenticity and origins of each stone. This combination of history, expertise, and infrastructure continues to make Antwerp an indispensable part of the global diamond industry.
Leading up to our annual trip to the world's diamond capital, Ware’s will explore the rich history and unlimited selection of diamonds available to us, and you, through our exclusive Antwerp Diamond Club.