Antwerp for diamond purchase?
 

Reading about the proud history of diamond merchants and cutters in Antwerp. My wife and I will be on a cruise stop in Brussels in May. Does anyone out there believe it to be a very good idea to travel to Antwerp and purchase a diamond or two? Or do you believe better prices are to be found in Amsterdam? Thank you for your advice and thoughts.

Unless I were very knowledgeable about diamonds (quality, color, cut, price) I wouldn't do this.

You might want to check on US Customs duty for unmounted diamonds before you do this.

You need to talk to a good local jeweler to where you are and get their best advice. They can then introduce you to a intermediary who (for a fixed fee will take you through what you want to do). Do you have a good view of the basic characterisitics of the diamonds or diamond that you want to buy. You need people you can trust in this matter.

Do NOT buy diamonds in europe unless you are an expert. This is the kind of purchase (unless you are talking something VERY modest) that should only be made form a merchant you know and trust - and who will guarantee a refund if a third-party appraiser doesn;t agree with the value (and qualities of the stone). If you're talking about a tiny piece of jewelry decorated with diamond chips as a token - then it really doesn;t matter and I would just buy whatever you think is pretty. (IMHO spending thousands of dollars on something that is so difficult for the average person to judge is just asking for trouble.)

Another comment.

I met my ex wife in Paris. She proposed to me and I accepted. I used the Paris Pas Cher (sp?) book to locate a cheap diamond dealer. His office was in the back of a building down an alley and up a flight of stairs, kind of back room if you know what I mean. I selected a stone and he promised to have it mounted in a couple of days. When I went to pick it up I looked carefully and noticed a tiny flaw that I didn't recall seeing when I bought it. I went ahead with the purchase anyway since we were moving out in a few days. In Amsterdam the next week I brought the ring to one of the diamond merchants near the Dam and asked for an opinion on the stone and what I had paid for it. He stated a price higher than that. I was satisfied.

Too bad the marriage didn't work out. Those walks along the Seine can steal the heart and muddy up the head of any serious bachelor.

Spaarne, had to chuckle at your story. Hope you are happy now...

If you do want to have a look at diamonds in Antwerp, go to Pelikaanstraat, near the station, where most diamond shops are. I cannot recommend a specific shop or dealer, but have never heard of problems; that area has a good reputation.

Cruise stop in Brussels? That would be difficult. Probably Zeebrugge. Antwerp has a cruise terminal too.

If you do visit Antwerp; don't miss the new MAS museum, on the history of Antwerp and the port.

In Brussels, you'd be in safe hands with the Maison du Diamant. Not cheap hands, but safe.
Is your cruise organizer transporting you directly from the ship docking point to Brussels. As Tulips noted, cruise ships don't (can't) dock in Brussels

diamonds I believe are like gold, a universal value no matter where bought.

Now i've been to many a diamond 'factory' tour in both Antwerpen and Amsterdam and they claim to have deals - do your research and yes you'd have to smuggle them thru Customs or pay a hefty duty if worth very much.