Diamonds

Antwerp’s Legacy: A Diamond Powerhouse

Posted by

Aayush Anchal

21 January 2026

On 26 August 2025

A Rich Historical Foundation

Since as early as the 15th century, Antwerp sprang up as a key hub for diamond trade, owing to its strategic port, skilled artisans, and its access to both supply and markets.
Over time, it became the center for diamond cutting, polishing, trading and certification to serve Europe and beyond.
The Antwerp Diamond District remains one of the densest concentrations of diamond companies in the world.

Craftsmanship, Trust & Institutions

Antwerp is home to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), which coordinates, promotes, and safeguards the diamond trade in Belgium and internationally. Wikipedia+1
Institutions like HRD Antwerp (linked with AWDC) provide certification, testing, educational services, and R&D.
The deep pool of expertise — from cutters to polishers to traders — gives Antwerp a competitive edge few other centers match.

Transparency, Ethics & Global Reach

Antwerp has been a leader in ethics, traceability (e.g. compliance with the Kimberley Process) and reliable supply chains.
Buyers globally look to Antwerp for both quality and assurance, making Belgium Diamonds (your site) especially well positioned as a trusted local bridge between clients and Antwerp’s trade network.

The Trade Disruption: Tariff Threats & Export Headwinds

In recent months, Belgium’s export industry — including diamonds — faced serious challenges due to U.S. tariff policies.The Brussels Times

The U.S. had signaled 15% (or higher) import duties on goods from the EU, as part of a broader trade confrontation.
For Belgian diamond exports, such tariffs posed a direct cost burden.The Brussels Times+1
Many in the diamond sector feared that these tariffs would weaken Antwerp’s role in the flow of polished stones, divert trade and reduce competitiveness.

The situation created significant uncertainty for exporters, dealers, and polishing houses — especially in Antwerp, which historically has served as a transit, finishing, and certification hub for stones originating from all over the world.

The Breakthrough: Tariff-Free Export for EU-Polished Diamonds

In a major development late in 2025, a new U.S. executive order granted a zero-percent import tariff for natural diamonds polished in the EU — effectively exempting them from the previously threatened 15% duty.TheBrewNews.com+4JCK+4awdc.be+4

Key Highlights

The exemption is retroactive to September 1, 2025.JCK+2awdc.be+2
Diamonds polished in Antwerp (i.e. European origin) now qualify for this duty waiver.awdc.be+2JCK+2
Prior to this, diamonds polished in non-EU locations (e.g., India) would have been liable for the 15% tariff.The Brussels Times+3JCK+3Rapaport+3
The exemption is part of a broader agreement covering industrial exports and reciprocal trade alignments between the EU and the U.S.awdc.be+2Rapaport+2

What This Means for Antwerp & Belgium Diamonds

Competitive Edge Restored: Antwerp becomes one of the only major diamond hubs with tariff-free access to the U.S. market for polished stones.The Brussels Times+2awdc.be+2
Revival of Polishing Activity: There are around 350 diamond polishing workshops in Antwerp. The new duty waiver gives these operations renewed viability.JCK+2The Brussels Times+2
Trade Diversion Incentive: Diamond producers and polishing houses in regions affected by U.S. tariffs (e.g., India) may route finished stones through Antwerp to take advantage of the zero duty. Indeed, reports indicate Indian diamond makers are already eyeing Antwerp as a transit polishing hub.The Times of India+2JCK+2
Strategic Repositioning: Antwerp’s role is strengthened not just as a polishing center but as a global trading hub. Its infrastructure, certification institutions, and logistical advantages can attract more upstream and downstream trade.
Symbolic & Economic Revival: This policy shift helps restore Antwerp’s historical prestige in the diamond world — positioning it once again as the go-to hub for quality, transparency, and global reach.

Conclusion: Antwerp’s Renaissance

The new tariff exemption is more than just a policy tweak — it’s a turning point. For Antwerp, it offers an opportunity to reclaim its status as the preeminent diamond capital in an era of trade turbulence.

At Belgium Diamonds, we pride ourselves on leveraging every strategic advantage from Antwerp’s ecosystem. This development ensures we can offer the finest quality diamonds, ethically sourced and competitively priced — while maintaining transparency and trust.

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