To the surprise of many, the central diamond market in the world is Belgium. If you want to go to the source, you need to consider heading to this often forgotten country.
When you purchase a diamond from a jeweler, whether it is from a mall or chain store, or a family run business – that diamond has been through quite a process to get to you. Most diamonds are mined in Africa, South America or Australia, and then they go through extensive evaluation in order to get them in shape for diamond wholesale buyers to select their wares. One of the biggest markets for wholesale diamonds is found in Belgium – and diamond buying in Antwerp is a far different experience than the type most consumers have.
Antwerp is one of the biggest port cities in Belgium, and in fact, it is one of the biggest ports in the world. This means that many different goods are imported into the country and the rest of Europe via ships that dock here. It is a moderately heavily populated city, with around half a million residents, but Antwerp is mostly known as an important place for commerce. The diamond trade takes up much of the commerce that flows through Antwerp, with the city becoming especially important in this arena during the latter half of the 20th century.
Diamond buying in Antwerp is usually reserved for wholesale diamond buyers from all over the world, who come here to purchase large lots of diamonds which they will cut and polish to their customers' specifications. Most of the diamond brokers in Antwerp are members of the city's large Hasidic Jewish population (immigrants to Belgium after World War II) although Armenian and Indian traders are becoming more common sights in the trade houses.
Some of the diamond houses and jewelers in Antwerp do sell directly to the public, so it is possible to combine your trip to Belgium with some diamond buying in Antwerp. Be aware, however, that the prices here may not be much less expensive than those in other parts of the world. While loose diamonds (those that have been cut and finished, but not yet set into jewelry) may have a bit of a discount, diamonds that are already in jewelry will usually cost the same as they would in any European country or in the US.
The biggest benefit to buying diamonds in Antwerp may be the selection. There are many different diamond sellers here, and finding the exact carat weight, shape, color and clarity can be easier in a place where more diamonds are sold. Buying diamonds here is definitely not for the first time buyer – it's important to know your stuff when purchasing diamonds abroad.
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For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Indian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Indian-Jewellery/
Thursday, February 12, 2009
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