Antwerp has been a focus of the diamond trade since the 15th century. The industry was transformed when
Lodewyk van Berken invented a new form of diamond polishing tool, the
scaif, which enabled the creation of the stereotypical sparkling, multifaceted diamond. This attracted orders from European nobility - and attracted other craftsmen to Antwerp.
Charles the Bold commissioned him to cut and polish the
Florentine Diamond. In the 1890s a diamond industry was established in Antwerp by families of diamonds traders and manufacturers who came from Amsterdam, Netherlands. After the
Second World War, the city's mayor encouraged Jews to return to Antwerp and many did so, including some who were working in the diamond trade. That helped to boost the industry. There was a subsequent decline however, starting in the 1960s, when some of the polishing business moved to India because of lower labour costs. Subsequently, some of the cutting business also moved to that country. A 2019 research study stated that India continued to dominate the cutting and polishing industry. In February 2003, thieves stole loose
diamonds, gold, silver and other types of jewelry valued at more than $100 million in the
Antwerp diamond heist, also known as the "heist of the century." The industry has avoided the
2022 European sanctions against Russia although the imports from
Alrosa have diminished. If banned, the
Antwerp World Diamond Centre claims 10,000 jobs would be at risk. ==See also== •
Antwerp Diamond Bank •
Antwerp Diamond Heist •
Diamond District •
Diamond Exchange District - Israel •
Jewelers' Row, Philadelphia •
Hatton Garden, London •
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme •
The Black Falcon == References ==