Events

After a very difficult 2015, the Antwerp diamond industry recorded a 5% increase in trade in 2016. This past year, a total of 48 billion USD worth of diamonds were imported to and exported from Antwerp. The rough diamond market in particular is clearly making a strong recovery. This is positive sign, given that the rough diamond trade is the foundation and heart of the diamond trade. The proactive efforts of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) to bring more rough diamonds onto the Antwerp market is clearly bearing fruit. 

From 11 through 14 December, the City of Antwerp, in the presence of Mayor Bart De Wever, is organizing a mission to Seoul. One of the most important objectives of this mission is to promote the Antwerp diamond industry, which is why the Antwerp World Diamond Centre is a partner to this mission. South Korea is a growing market for polished diamonds, yet Antwerp’s market share in the country is currently rather limited. It is therefore high time to strengthen our commercial ties.

According to Bain & Company’s sixth annual report on the global diamond jewelry market, Millennials could give a further boost to industry sales, if the industry finds a way to reach them effectively.

The global diamond industry performed moderately well in 2015, led by diamond jewelry retail sales, which grew 3 percent at constant exchange rates. However, currency depreciation last year, as well as slower demand in China, contributed to a decline in global revenue of about 2 percent in U.S. dollar terms. Similarly, in the midstream, U.S. dollar revenues dipped by 2 percent and rough diamond sales fell nearly a quarter (24 percent). That decline was the result of reduced purchasing volumes in the cutting and polishing sector and the release of about $5 billion of their inventories into the downstream markets. These are the findings in the sixth annual report on the global diamond jewelry market, prepared by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and Bain & Company. 

On 29 September, during a well-attended, two-hour information session organized by the Federation of Belgian Diamond Bourses in collaboration with the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the Federation informed the Bourses’ members that starting January 1, 2017, the four Antwerp Diamond Bourses will be among the first to actively enforce the guidelines defined by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses for combatting undisclosed synthetics. 

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre’s “Diamond Pavilion” at the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair today was the scene for the world premieres of two new initiatives: AWDC’s “Diamonds & Antwerp, It’s in our DNA” campaign, and HRD Antwerp’s new certificate. 

On Saturday 10 September, the sixth edition of the ‘Drakenbootfestival’ (Dragon Boat Festival) took place in Antwerp. This is one of the largest summer happenings in the city. Antwerp World Diamond Centre sponsored the Special Olympics Belgian Team. It was a great day!

The Kimberley Process Chair, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, has announced the second in a series of three, one-day ‘Special Forums’, on rough diamond valuation, to be held on 30 September 2016 at the Hylitt Hotel, Antwerp, Belgium. In association with the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the Special Forum will focus on valuation practices employed by the global diamond industry. The format will take the shape of an ‘Expert Workshop’, an open dialogue that will examine other methods being used that will eventually develop a more formalized approach to rough diamond valuation. This second session will focus on the industry - representatives from mining companies, auction and tender experts, professional diamond valuators and polished price index specialists - the conclusions from which will be addressed in the third session in Dubai where the relevant governments will take center stage. The three pillars of the KP are also invited - Government, Industry and Civil Society.

GREEN LIGHT FOR CARAT TAX 

INFO SESSION ON FRIDAY AUGUST 5 AND FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2

Following the formal decision of the European Commission, the Federal Government has received official authorization for the introduction of the ‘Carat Tax’. This means that the yearly recurring fiscal control difficulties with which many diamantaires have been confronted in the past will come to an end.

For the past three days a delegation of leading jewelers and diamond traders from the United States have been getting acquainted with their counterparts in Antwerp, enjoying a behind-the-scenes look at the diamond capital and doing business at high-level networking events. This visit took place in the framework of a new initiative by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, "Antwerp Diamond Experience", intended to bring groups of jewelers, wholesalers and manufacturers from major and upcoming diamond markets into direct contact with Antwerp diamantaires and give them inside access to the world's leading diamond trade center.

The City of Antwerp and the diamond industry have been inextricably linked for more than 550 years. To celebrate this unique connection, from late 2017 to early 2018 the City will be organizing a diamond year –  “Antwerp, shaping the Diamond Story” – that will highlight all aspects of the industry with numerous events. During this time, the new experience museum, DiVA Antwerp Home of Diamonds, will open its doors on the Suikerrui.