Welcome at SBD

“I keep trying until I find a solution. That’s my success factor. If someone comes to me with an unrealistic request, I literally lose sleep over it until I’ve found a solution.”

The first edition of Diamond Innovation Connect is behind us, and what an inspiring day it was! Together with 20 SBD members, we visited the research center Flanders Make in Leuven

Eternal Memories: Infinity Tree Diamonds captures the essence of loved ones in unique diamonds.

Antwerp is globally recognized as the most trusted diamond center, thanks to its focus on compliance, sustainability, and transparency within the diamond industry.

“Recognition brings visibility to the craft and is crucial for passing on the knowledge and expertise to future generations.”

“This month, a proud student said that he had given a beautiful self-polished stone to his mother on the occasion of Mother's Day. This is why we do it, isn't it?”

SBD member company Mac Precious Stones is one of the flourishing family businesses in the Antwerp diamond sector. Mac Precious Stones offers an extensive range of specialist services within the diamond and gemstone industry. From removing laser inscriptions to recutting diamonds to exacting standards, Mac Precious Stones is known for its eye for quality. Their expertise also includes culet repairs, high-quality baguette and taper cuts using advanced measurements, and cutting and cutting of various gemstones including rubies, sapphires, emeralds and semi-precious stones. SBD spoke to the Suchowolski family about the values and traditions in this family business and the passing on of expertise to the next generations.

Today we are pleased to learn that the Royal Decree amending the Royal Decree of 17 April 1970 regarding the adoption of diamond industry workshops has been published in the Belgian Official Gazette.

Meylemans Somers Diamondcutters (MSD), a renowned name in Antwerp's diamond industry, has recently moved into a new office and workshop. After 15 years of operating on the ground floor of the Kneller building, the need for expansion became apparent. Danny Meylemans and Eva Van Looveren of the MSD team share insights into this significant move.

Hiren was born into a family with deep roots in the diamond industry in Surat, India. In 1998 he moved from the vibrant streets of Surat to the prestigious city of Antwerp. “My professional endeavors have taken me across the world, from Botswana to Dubai, Israel to India, enriching my understanding of the global diamond market. However, it was Antwerp that captured my heart, becoming not only my professional hub but also my home,” states Hiren. Hiren lives in Antwerp with his wife and three daughters.

UNIZO welcomes the Syndicate of the Belgian Diamond Industry vzw, the sector organization that represents Belgian diamond companies. Chairman Dave Oste and director Melissa Smet of the Syndicate of the Belgian Diamond Industry, UNIZO CEO Danny Van Assche and director Anton Smagghe formally confirmed the collaboration today in the presence of Carl Van Dyck, director of UNIZO Province of Antwerp (article only available in Dutch).

Today, October 9, 2023, the FPS WASO published the termination of the sectoral use of the cash payment of wages within PC324 on their website: https://werk.belgie.be/nl/themas/verloning/loonbescherming/uitbetaling-van-het-loon-van-hand-tot-hand-sectoraal-akkoord. The payment of wages from hand to hand is no longer permitted after a period of two months from the day of this announcement. Wages must therefore be paid via wire transfer with effect from December 10, 2023.

Our new high-tech gem testing laboratory in Antwerp – the diamond capital of the world – is now open and staffed full-time. From Monday January 30th 2023 we are officially opening our doors in in the Diamantclub van Antwerpen (DCVA) and we are offering our services to the trade. With this new high-tech laboratory, we can provide an easier, faster and more cost-effective option for the markets outside of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to get access to many of our diamond and colored stone testing services.

The Antwerp diamond industry urgently needs an influx of young diamond polishers, as the median age is already 54. Hence ADMP donated the cash prize we won to the Stedelijk Lyceum Eilandje, in the presence of Peter Wouters, alderman for diamonds. The Stedelijk Lyceum Eilandje is the only secondary school in Europe that offers diamond polishing education.

At the end of April 2022, a law on the regulation of working hours in the diamond industry was published in the Belgian Official Gazette (publication: 27 April 2022).

De coronacrisis zette aan tot denken én doen: zeven diamantfabrikanten sloegen de handen in elkaar om de digitalisering van hun sector in te zetten.

In this contribution, SBD member Eddy Vleeschdrager briefly guides you through XRF analysis for jewelry. XRF analysis is a non-destructive technique that takes advantage of the interaction between primary X-rays and material.

The Antwerp diamond sector's fundraising campaign starts today, Thursday 22 July at 2pm and ends on Wednesday 28 July at 2pm.

SBD is featured in the June issue of The New Jeweller, a special edition dedicated to Antwerp.

Deze afdeling is de enige in Europa op secundair niveau JOUW PROFIEL; Je bent handig, je hebt geduld en je kan je goed concentreren. Je werkt nauwkeurig en houdt van praktijk. Je hebt ambitie en verantwoordelijkheidszin. Je kent de naam en faam van Antwerpen in de diamantwereld.

Op 15 juli konden zeven cursisten na drie maanden intensieve opleiding in de basiscursus “Van Ruw naar Briljant” hun diploma in ontvangst nemen.