Once the "City of Diamonds", Amsterdam is offered
a special elite glamour by being the host of some of the
most valuable and expensive diamonds in the world. Amsterdam
is not only one of the major jewelry centers around the
globe, but it also enjoys a rich history and tradition
in the manufacture of rare gems. Diamond cutting was brought
to Amsterdam at the end of the 16th century by Sephardic
Jews and experienced great popularity and development
among locals and foreigners, soon afterwards.
Diamond cutters developed exquisite talent in cutting
and polishing precious stones and, shortly, became world
renowned for their unique abilities of exploiting diamonds'
value and features. However, the Second World War came
as a decline for the diamond industry in Amsterdam, as
more than two thousand Jews in the business were deported,
killed or disappeared in Nazi concentration camps located
in Germany and Poland. Once the war came to an end, authorities
and merchants, locals and foreigners, as well, joined
efforts to help diamond industry prosper again. Partly,
their goal was achieved and Amsterdam regained its name
as a diamond centre.
As we speak, hundreds of gifted cutters and polishers
transform rough diamonds into precious, priceless gems
and jewelry, daring tourists to take part in one of the
most dazzling metamorphoses. Visitors are given the chance
to assist diamond manufacturers in the process of diamond
cutting first-hand and witness, thus, more than four hundred
years of evolution in an almost mystical field.
Amsterdam's diamond craftsmanship and tradition is certified
by some of its most important works in the matter. The
"Cullinan", the diamond having the largest sizes
in the world, as well as one of Britain's Crown Jewels,
"Koh-I-Noor" (The Mountain of Light), were cut
and polished in old Amsterdam, turning into genuine art
pieces. Amsterdam craftsmen and traders also cut the smallest
diamond in the world of only 0.00012 carat, but very valuable
due to its 57 facets.
Visitors have multiple options when deciding to acquire
diamond jewelry or assisting the production of one. Shops
like Gassan Diamonds, Amsterdam Diamond Center, Van Moppes
Diamonds, Stoeltie Diamonds and Coster Diamonds are always
happy to receive their guests and introduce them in the
bright universe of world-class gems.
Gassan Diamonds is one of the famous diamond trading
centers. Not only customers can purchase high value diamonds,
but skillful goldsmiths can set it into an equally outstanding
piece of jewelry combining their life-time experience
and imagination with your personal taste and preferences.
If you are not ready to trade your lifetime savings for
one diamond, however, you can still take a tour of the
atelier and spend the most precious 45 minutes of your
life witnessing how most valuable minerals are given glamour
and prestige. After the tour, guests are invited to rest
their feet and refresh themselves in the coffee shop.
Beverages are free for all guests; parking is facilitated,
as well as mooring for round-trip boats.
You can visit Gassan Diamonds daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
except on December, 25th and January, 1st. Tours are conducted
by multilingual guides and groups as well as individual
visitors beneficiate from special attendance.
Amsterdam Diamond Center also offers insights
on its impressive works. Amsterdam Diamond Center hosts
world's top 35 brand watches and exclusive pieces of jewelry
and gems. Visitors can take exciting tours of the shop's
facilities on the Dam and assist he process of diamond
cutting and polishing every day of the week. If customers
decide upon a diamond or jewelry, craftsmen can adapt
it to personal preferences o the spot, so lucky buyers
can enjoy it as soon as possible. Amsterdam Diamond Center
is open every day of the week from 9.30 a.m. till 6.30
p.m.
Van Moopes Diamonds adds to its diamonds' value the historic
heritage of having been the first diamond factory to receive
visitors in Amsterdam in 1955. Soon, the popularity gained
among visitors' preferences stated Van Moopes Diamonds
as an example for all the other diamond producers and
traders in Amsterdam. Van Moopes Diamonds is situated
on Albert Cuypstraat and opens Mondays to Sundays from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stoeltie Diamonds offers an exquisite collection
of high-class jewelry, including diamonds. Visitors can
become acquainted with the polishing process assisting
the experienced diamond polishers at Stoeltie Diamonds.
Tours are completed by detailed multilingual commentaries
upon the topic. The polishing factory has recently changed
location, being hosted as we speak by building of Gassan
Diamonds. You can check out diamond polishing every day
of the week from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m.
Coster Diamonds is much more than a diamond and
jewelry center, It is one of Amsterdam's oldest diamond
fatories bearing the blaze of tradition and high quality.
With more than 160 years of experience in the diamond
industry, Coster Diamonds can proud itself of having repolished
one of the largest diamonds in the world, Great Britain's
crown jewel, Koh-I-Noor or "The Mountain of the Light",
as it translates. The procedure was required by Prince
Albert himself, Queen Victoria's husband. Coster Diamonds
is the favorite destination of thousands of tourists every
year in search of witnessing how world's most valuable
gems take shape. Dedicated craftsmen are ready to share
you secrets of how cutting and polishing needs to be done
to bring out the best of a diamond. Tours are free of
charge and multilingual. Visitors can also check out the
unique jewelry collections and even acquire if decided
so. Coster Diamonds is available for visit daily from
9 a.m. until p.m.
