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  HRD Antwerp, announces it will cease certifying SDs    HRD Antwerp, the Antwerp-based diamond laboratory and subsidiary of AWDC, last week; announces it will cease certifying Synthetic Diamonds [SDs]. With this decision, HRD becomes the first and only diamond lab in the world to focus exclusively on natural diamonds.    The move reaffirms Antwerp’s role as the international hub for natural diamond trading and marks a concrete step toward strengthening consumer trust by clearly distinguishing between natural and synthetic diamonds. Certificates will still be issued for jewellery containing synthetic stones.    Founded in 1973, HRD Antwerp has issued certificates verifying the authenticity and quality of diamonds for over 50 years. Now, HRD becomes the first lab to make a firm commitment to natural diamonds and will no longer certify synthetic diamonds. As of 2026, we will no longer issue quality certificates for loose synthetic diamonds ...

  A historic turning point for the global diamond sector    Recently; in Luanda, Angola, a historic agreement was signed by diamond-producing countries and leading players in the international diamond industry. AWDC, represented by our president Isidore Mörsel, also joined the Luanda Accord.    The agreement marks a crucial step towards launching a global generic marketing campaign to promote natural diamonds. The signatories committed to collectively securing structural funding for this effort. We, positioning ourself as a global hub for natural diamond trade through our new campaign 'We Protect a Legacy', played a key role in shaping this landmark agreement.  With the Luanda Accord, representatives from across the diamond value chain recognize the need to actively promote natural diamonds worldwide and to jointly allocate the necessary funding.  Governments and industry together will contribute a total of 1% annually of the value of rough dia...

  Emphasizes Antwerp’s role for NDs more explicitly than ever before   The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), which represents the interests of 1,470 Belgian diamond companies, launched its new campaign: We Protect A Legacy. With this campaign, AWDC emphasizes Antwerp’s role as the world trading center for Natural Diamonds [NDs] more explicitly than ever before.   The federation also aims to raise public awareness about the fundamental differences between natural and synthetic diamonds; two products that may look alike on the outside but are fundamentally different in nature. The campaign was launched in Antwerp’s Stadsfeestzaal with a striking public stunt: passers-by can turn a gumball machine and receive a synthetic diamond for just five euros. This symbolic act highlights the stark contrast in value between synthetic and natural diamonds. With a rich history of nearly 580 years, the natural diamond trade is deeply embedded in the DNA of Antwerp. The ‘We Pr...

Launch for Antwerp Diamond Companies   Recently, the AWDC announce, we launch a new digital job page on our website: www.awdc.be/jobs . This page offers Antwerp-based diamond companies the opportunity to publish their open vacancies directly and serves as a digital bulletin board making job openings within the sector visible.  AWDC provides the page, but is not responsible for the content or follow-up of the vacancies. Once submitted, job postings become visible on the website within 24 hours.    With this new service, AWDC further expands its support to the Antwerp diamond sector. The page helps companies looking to strengthen their teams by giving their vacancies greater visibility both, locally and through AWDC’s international network.    An important benefit is that vacancies are targeted directly at a relevant audience with an active interest in the diamond industry.    At the same time, the webpage offers job seekers a clear and central ...

  Antwerp Diamond Federation Welcomes EU Decision   The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the industry organization representing all Belgian diamond companies, has expressed relief and satisfaction following the European Council’s decision not to impose import tariffs on polished diamonds originating from the United States, as part of its package of countermeasures in response to the U.S. tariffs imposed by President Trump. European import tariffs could have caused significant harm to Belgium’s diamond sector, without meaningfully impacting the U.S. in return.    “We are extremely pleased and grateful that our efforts over the past weeks have led to the European Council’s decision not to impose tariffs on U.S. diamonds,” said Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of AWDC. With an annual trading value of $3.9 billion in polished diamonds representing around 16% of Belgium’s total diamond trade, the US is a key trading partner for the Belgian diamond industry.  “It i...

  The G7 ban on Russian diamonds, effect Antwerp undeniable   AWDC announced the Annual trade figures of the Antwerp Diamond Industry. The numbers confirm what we have all felt: the diamond industry is facing a severe global crisis. Geopolitical tensions, weak consumer markets, and competition from synthetics have led to historically low demand and prices. Antwerp, as one of the world's leading diamond trading hubs, has been hit particularly hard.   The impact of the G7 ban on Russian diamonds, in effect since January 1, 2024, is undeniable. Before the war in Ukraine, over a third of all rough diamonds imported to Antwerp came from Russia. With these goods now absent, Antwerp's total rough diamond imports dropped by 35% in 2024. Overall, trade figures for the year declined by 25% compared to 2023, falling from $32.5 billion to $24.4 billion. "The industry is caught in a perfect storm," says Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of AWDC. "Sanctions, economic slowdown, a...

Revised System of Warranties!   “We are reaching out to inform you about the Revised System of Warranties (SoW), which will require you to change the warranty declaration that all members of the trade add to invoices and memo documents” said the World Diamond Council (WDC).  The SoW was developed by the WDC in 2002 as an industry self-regulation system that would indicate that diamonds being sold comply with the requirements of the KPCS. The Revised SoW was launched in September of 2021 to meet consumer demand for enhanced supply chain integrity.  It is designed to help meet those expectations.    In view of this fact, the current warranty statements on your invoices and memo statements are soon to be outdated and are to be replaced with the broader statement that is in accordance with today's market demands. Therefore it is imperative that you update them as soon as possible.    Register on the SoW website and provide the required information. Upon...

AWDC & ADPA joins for a series of webinars!   The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) partnered with Belgium’s Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs and the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) organized a series of webinars on October 14, 21 and 28.  The 2nd African Diamond Conference was scheduled to open in May 2020 at Durban, South Africa. Given the global situation of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference took place via the virtual platform.   The webinars aimed to connect the industry members to share information on the opportunities and challenges of diamond producing countries in Africa as well as the overall situation of the diamond industry.    “Earlier this year, we had to make the difficult decision to postpone the second edition of the African Diamond Conference. However, even though we can’t meet each other in person, it's important to stay connected and exchange knowledge, through our African Diamond Conference:...

  Report by ICA Ambassador to Belgium   According to the ICA report by Maxim Van Oppens, ‘After gradually easing out of lockdown we, like all countries, are experiencing a rise in Covid-19 cases. Currently Antwerp has the status of a high-risk area.’  As the gemstone and diamond trade primarily takes place there, the entire sector is heavily affected. Key differences in the trade in comparison to our last update derived. Mouth masks are recommended everywhere in Belgium and mandatory in Antwerp not only on public transport or inside buildings but whenever one steps outside. Shops are open, but only groups of maximum two persons may enter. Shoppers, who break that rule, get fined. Client visits in neighbouring countries is possible with a negative Covid-19 test. Clients prefer remote ways of purchasing their stones not only for commercial but for fine quality stones as well.  The decrease in spontaneous purchases is in not a small part compensated by rising average ...

FPS visits any time in June: be prepared! The Economic Inspectorate of the FPS Economy is conducting inspections at randomly selected registered diamond companies to assess their compliance with the obligations under the anti-money laundering legislation. These inspections can take place in the coming weeks at the registered office of your company, with or without prior notice. The AWDC has drafted a checklist on how to prepare for the visits, which is available via this link under the question: "Are controls performed on compliance with the AML legislation in the diamond sector?” There you will find the full list of the documents you should have at the ready. If you have any further questions, feel free to get in touch with our AML & Compliance Helpdesk. If it appears that the company is not actually located at the registered address, you run the risk that the company will be deleted. It is advised to keep your bookkeeping and client identification files up...

Mine to Finger, the academic program! Following the success of previous years, this summer the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, together with the University of Antwerp (UA) will organize the third Antwerp Summer University (ASU), From Mine to Finger. The academic program, spanning two weeks at the end of August-early September, is intended for an international group of masters and PhD students, graduates, researchers and (young) professionals from inside and outside the diamond industry. From Mine to Finger. A deep dive into the world of Diamonds is an intensive two-week programme, hosted by the University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) and the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC). Throughout the programme, students will discover the world of diamonds in every aspect. Topics include the historical, geological, technical, economical, commercial and ethical perspectives of the global diamond trade. On top of this comprehensive academic overview, a series of diamond talks by indus...

AWDC launches Sustainability report! The diamond trade is a highly international industry. Across its global value chain, more than 10 million people earn their livelihoods through this fascinating industry. As the most important diamond trade center globally, we are required to pay attention to the environment and the human beings who live in it. Recently AWDC launched its second sustainability report, in the presence of aldermen Van Campenhout and Meeuws. The most important themes in the report are ‘Integrity in the diamond value chain’, ‘compliance in the diamond industry’, ‘innovation and the future of Antwerp’ and ‘the economic impact in diamond-producing countries’. The AWDC opted to deliver an integrated report in which the challenges facing the industry are linked to our annual figures and financial information. In this way, the AWDC’s sustainability agenda can be more firmly anchored in our everyday operations. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)...

In a short run diamond industry to affect by 3 trends! The Global Diamond Industry 2018, A resilient industry shines through, report said about Diamond jewelry retail, Key industry trends. Three trends have the highest potential to affect the diamond industry in the near term, 1: advancements in digital technologies, 2: the development of lab-grown diamonds and 3: generational shifts in consumer preferences.   Among other benefits, digital technologies are aiding transparency and efficiency efforts across all segments of the value chain. For example, in 2017 and early 2018, blockchain projects were launched to help consumers confidently identify the origin of their diamonds. Mining companies are using predictive maintenance, real-time controls and artificial intelligence to mitigate rising operating costs.   Cutting and polishing players are pursuing advanced solutions in digital mapping, modeling and manufacturing to shorten production cycles and ultimately ...

Laurelton Diamonds Tender From January 7 & up to 17 Laurelton Diamonds Belgium BVBA will be holding the viewings of its next Tender of Rough and Sawn at the Antwerp Diamond Tender Facility (ATF), Belgium. The Tender will include a selection of White and Cape Rough parcels in sizes from +5cts to -7 in regular and high quality assortments in Cts and Grs.   There will also be a range of White Sawn Kaps offered in sized parcels from +3gr to -5 in mixed qualities. The tender is scheduled from Tuesday 7th January to Thursday & up to 17th January 2019 and viewing appointments can be booked. The tender will be held in the Antwerp Diamond Tender Facility (ATF), AWDC Building. Laurelton Diamonds Belgium BVBA, a subsidiary of Tiffany & Co, is a rough diamond manufacturing and trading company with operations across the globe. The company procures rough diamonds and manages the worldwide supply chain that cuts, polishes and supplies finished diamonds to Ti...

LGD market could grow between 10 to 17 mn cts by 2030 Lab-grown diamonds (LGD) have existed for more than 60 years, with limited effect on the natural gem-quality market. But advancements in technology have pushed the lab-grown market into a more competitive position. Most notably, new chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technology deeply cut the cost to produce larger, higher-quality diamonds. Today, it costs $300 to $500 per carat to produce a CVD lab-grown diamond, compared with $4,000 per carat in 2008.   As production costs have dropped, retail prices have followed. The retail price of gem-quality lab-grown diamonds have nearly halved in the past two years, while wholesale prices dropped threefold. Prices are expected to decrease even further as production efficiencies increase, new competitors enter the market and the segment commoditizes. Lab-grown diamond producers have two options:1: to pursue gem-quality production for retail jewelry sales or to produce diam...