Diamonds in Amstradam
Dec 8th, 2001, 03:30 PM
#2
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I was in Amsterdam last year and we had a diamond factory tour. I never thought of Amsterdam as a place to look for diamond jewelry, but I was quite impressed with the design and quality of the diamonds over there. I did not think the price was too exhorbitant all things considered.
Dec 8th, 2001, 08:34 PM
#3
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Many consider that Antwerp rather than Amsterdam is the diamond capital for Euorpe. I took a tour through one of the centers in Antwerp and found it quite interesting. But I was not looking to buy, I am interested in geology, and also needed a little break from museums and cathedrals!
Dec 9th, 2001, 05:53 PM
#4
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We toured a diamond factory near the Van Gogh museum, then looked at some loose diamonds there. I had just been looking in the US so I knew the price range to expect. The prices in Amsterdam were thousands of dollars higher for the same grade/weight stone. I had heard this from a diamond broker here in the US but had to find out for myself.... he was right. He said that in general, prices are higher for diamonds all across Europe. (If I saw a woman with a large diamond in Europe, it seemed to always be an American.)
Dec 9th, 2001, 07:29 PM
#5
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I believe Kathy is referring to the Coster Diamond facility. It is featured in Fodors and Frommers. It is located almost across the street from the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, and they are tourist friendly. My wife and I stopped in there, curious, but also needing a break from the museum scene.<BR>After a short wait in a lobby, you are put with a few other English speaking folks, and shown some of the workmen polishing and cutting the diamond; something we had never seen. We received a detailed explanation of the grading system for diamonds. then we were escorted into a "private" viewing room, and were shown many loose diamonds, along with an explanation of their grade ratings and prices. I recognized the tones of the "sales pitch," but I must say, it was all very discreet and non pressurized. The other couple politely excused themselves.<BR>My wife continued to show curiosity, and we were then shown to a more formal show room, in which were located many items of jewelry. Our Italian salesperson thought he really had one, but alas, she bid him farewell, and then we went across to the Van Gogh museum, which was our real destination for the afternoon. I felt kinda sorry for the fellow, but we did receive a lot of very interesting information.<BR>Prices? I didn't see any bargains vs US prices, (they didn't seem way high either) but the quality was excellent. If you have an extra 30 minutes or so, and you are near the Van Gogh museum, its worth a stop, IMO
Dec 9th, 2001, 10:45 PM
#7
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Top quality diamonds are expensive no matter where you purchase them. But if you buy it overseas you have to factor in the customs charge which can be high. I recently bought a watch in Amesterdam, I had been eyeing a very pricey Baume and Mercier watch here in Germany and it was about 400.00 dollars cheaper in Holland. The benefit of living overseas within the eu is that there are no customs tax.When I do move back to the states the watch will be old and worn so I don't anticipate much duty on it.
Dec 11th, 2001, 06:15 AM
#9
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I bought it in Amsterdam, about a block away from the main trainstation downtown. It is a big jeweler that has cartier watches in the window. I went in in a torn t-shirt and sweat shorts picked out my watch gave the guy my visa card and was done before they could even bring me a cup of complimentary coffee. The salesman commented that I was the easiest sale he ever made. I had been eyeing the watch here in germany for some time. I then saw it a the jeweler there and after mulling over it for a day decided to go for it. I am going to be offline for the next two days but I can look at my receipt and post the name of the jeweler on friday. The watch is beautiful and it just stopped working 13 months after I bought it , I was heartbroken thinking that my warrenty had expired but guess what? it comes with a 2 yr warrenty. So I took it to a local jeweler here who sent it back to switzerland and they sent me a brand new watch. I was the style I bought but evidently I did something to it to cause it to die. Overall the level of service and professionalism have made the watch an worthwile investment. Plus the jeweler here told me I could not have bought that watch anywhere in this country for what I paid in Amesterdam. With the intl exchange rate it came out to be around 650.00. A nice treat for myself
Dec 11th, 2001, 03:06 PM
#11
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dear dutchy,<BR>i will be in amsterdam for new year's! are the dutch using gilder or euros? also, do you happen to know which of the following hotels is more "in" these days: hotel de l'europe, blake hotel, amstel, or the pulitzer? i will be staying at the sandersens in london and want the best hotel in amsterdam - especially for my first visit there. thanks!
Dec 16th, 2001, 11:17 PM
#12
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The name of the jeweler is "Amesterdam diamond center" Rokin 1-5 KK Amerstdam, phone number is 020-6245787. Happy watch buying, PS, the Carier watches are also made by Baume and Mercier, you just get to pay alot more for the cartier name. But it is the same watch
Apr 25th, 2002, 07:19 AM
#15
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So this is the second time I'm posing this question but do these places in amsterdam also do other precious stones like sapphire?<BR><BR>Speaking of which.. my post about me wnating to get an engagement ring seems to have just vanished ... I know there was one reply - but I can't find it now, even with the keyword search. Hopefully it'll wake up from wherever it is soon.<BR>(Anyone have this problem before?)
Apr 26th, 2002, 07:58 PM
#17
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Brownie your post is still here because I read it just about 5 minutes ago. A friend of mine who is a Gemologist and works for Tiffany and company says to be very CAREFUL about buying diamonds abroad. Antwerp is definitely where you want to go she says but even there you need to find out who is reputible and who is not.
Apr 26th, 2002, 08:13 PM
#18
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Hey, Sarah:<BR><BR>It's Amsterdam. Try to get the spelling right. If you need to get there, it might help. And if you need to look up info on the web, it would also be useful to know how to spell the city. And as a general rule, if you're going somewhere, it really helps to know how to spell the place you're going to - And Amsterdam isn't all that hard. <BR><BR>If you're into diamonds, you should also be into spelling.Precision is key. Details count on both accounts. <BR><BR>What I'm saying is that if you are so lax in your spelling as to come off as a moron, then I doubt you will end up being a savvy buyer of a diamond. You got me?
