Thursday 28 September 2017

Launch of the Diamond Year: 570-Year Bond Between Antwerp and the Diamond Industry

Launch of the Diamond Year: 570-Year Bond Between Antwerp and the Diamond Industry

[Langerman Diamonds - YDCDL] When it comes to diamond trading Antwerp remains the global leader and the preferred trade center. It controls no less than four-fifths of the rough diamond market and half of the polished market. No other city in the world has such an extensive knowledge and experience of diamonds. Antwerp, the heart of diamond trade worldwide for more than 500 years counts 1,700 companies ensuring a competitive market with tremendous opportunities.    

On September, 28th the kick-off of the Diamond Year, a collaborative effort between the AWDC and the City of Antwerp, was launched. 

Anniversary. 570-year bond between Antwerp and Diamonds

 

The celebration was attended by Belgium's Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Pieter De Crem and fifteen ambassadors from diamond-related countries.

 

Fifty-seven cakes were featured, one for each decade of diamond trading in Antwerp and at the same time a reference to the 57 facets of brilliant cut diamond.

 

From October 2017 through June 2018 several events will celebrate the unique, 570-year bond between the City of Antwerp and the diamond industry.

  • The MAS will starts the festivities (October 18th - January 14th)  with a new exhibition :“Dazzling Desires”. The expo will  illustrate how desires have disguised themselves as diamonds and how for centuries man has derived meaning and a sense of purpose from the acquisition of valuable objects. 
  • The Felix Archief will also pay tribute to this anniversary year with an exhibition of documents attesting the first historical evidence of the presence of diamonds and of diamond trade in the city, dating back to 570 years ago.  
  • Another major event will be the opening in the historical heart of Antwerp of a brand new museum DIVA. In a neighborhood that goldsmiths, jewelry and diamond dealers have called home since the sixteenth century,  the  Antwerp Home of Diamonds will show an extraordinary permanent collection of diamonds, jewelry and silverware . DIVA will be  inaugurated in May 2018 and   promises to be a unique experience illustrating the BrillAntwerp Story.

 

All details about this Diamond Year and latest updates are available here.

 

AWDC

By YDCDL 

Pictures by:  AWDC - The Diamand Loupe  & YDCDL