Fact #1: About dinosaurs and New York

According to estimates, diamonds are between 1 and 3.5 billion years old, making them older than dinosaurs. The relationship between Antwerp and diamonds has also been around for a long time. The oldest document proving the existence of the diamond trade in Antwerp dates back to the year 1447. A century later, Antwerp was the New York of its time: a successful, international metropolis, with a starring role for the diamond industry. We dare not claim that Antwerp is still one of the most important world cities today, but it is still the most important and purest trading centre for diamonds in the world. 

Fact #2: Engaged? Then you need a diamond...

We'll stick around in history for a while. In 1477, Maximilian of Austria gifted a diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy. Had Instagram existed back then, it would have been full of enticing images of that ring. Since then, diamonds have been a traditional engagement gift worldwide. Many couples from home and abroad, young and not so young, find their way to Antwerp to buy their engagement rings and to combine it with a romantic city trip. 

Fact #3: The inventor of the round brilliant cut diamond was a 19-year-old from Antwerp.

Did you know that 75% of all colourless diamonds are cut in this brilliant shape, with 57 facets? This is all thanks to the diamond cutter Marcel Tolkowsky. In 1919, aged just 19, he discovered the mathematical formula which allowed a diamond to be cut and polished to create maximum brilliance, sparkling and radiating fire. Thank you, Marcel! 

Precision-cut diamonds are now finished to perfection using the 'hearts & arrows' pattern, as it is known. This optical illusion looks like a pattern of hearts and arrows, which is only visible under a lens.

Fact #4: Antwerp has its own quality label 'Antwerp's Most Brilliant'

Are you looking for a diamond or jewel for yourself or a loved one? Then you're in the right place in Antwerp, where the range of diamonds and jewellery is large and diverse. If you're not sure where to start, let the Antwerp's Most Brilliant quality label be your guide. This label brings together jewellers who meet strict quality standards. That way, you'll have peace of mind as you search for the unique piece of your dreams. Discover the jewellers here. 

Fact #5: Checkpoint Diamond: how Antwerp is cracking down on conflict diamonds

Perhaps you remember the movie Blood Diamond with Leonardo Di Caprio? Conflict diamonds or blood diamonds were a painful phenomenon until 2003. But fortunately, much has changed since then. A new procedure (Kimberley) that guaranteed the pure origin of all diamonds came into being, and as a result, the proportion of conflict diamonds dropped dramatically. As a reliable diamond centre, Antwerp goes one step further. Did you buy a diamond or jewel from a jeweller without the 'Antwerp's Most Brilliant' quality label? Then you can have it checked for authenticity and quality quickly and for free at Checkpoint Diamond! 

Fact #6: Antwerp has no less than four diamond fairs

At the end of the nineteenth century, diamond trading happened mainly in the cafés around Central Station. Sometimes, people simply traded on the pavement, as many buyers came to town by train. Slowly, traders began to unite, creating first a diamond club and later the first diamond trade fair. Today, Antwerp has four fairs, which can certainly be called unique.

Photo: The Hoveniersstraat Diamond Exchange was founded in 1904. The magnificent hall is still a wonderful eye-catcher today.  

Fact #7: Every diamond has most likely been to Antwerp at least once 

In a Hollywood film, on a celebrity's Instagram photo, during a Netflix series... wherever you see a diamond sparkling, you can be pretty certain of one thing: the little stone has been to Antwerp at least once. As many as 86% of all rough diamonds and 50% of all polished diamonds are bought and sold in Antwerp. And certainly the largest and most unique stones find their way to Antwerp to be polished there. This is why Antwerp is the world's diamond hub.