Antwerp diamond district
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Antwerp diamond district
Coordinates: 51°12′52″N 4°25′07″E / 51.214425°N 4.418625°E
Antwerp's diamond district, also known as the Diamond Quarter (Diamantkwartier), and dubbed the Square Mile[1] is an area within the city of Antwerp, Belgium. It consists of several square blocks covering an area of about one square mile. Over 12,000 gemcutters and polishers work within the district. Approximately 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through this area each year, making it the largest diamond center in the world.[citation needed]
Over $16 billion in polished diamonds pass through the district's exchanges each year. There are 380 workshops that serve 1,500 companies. There are also 3,500 brokers and merchants.
Within the district is the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, and four trading exchanges[2] including the Diamond Club of Antwerp and the Beurs voor Diamanthandel, both of which were founded by Hasidim diamantaires.[3] There are also four banks specializing in the financing of the diamond trade.[4]
The district is dominated by Jewish and Indian dealers, known as diamantaires.[5] [5] [6] More than 80% of Antwerp's Jews work in the diamond trade, with Yiddish being the main language of the diamond exchange.[citation needed] No business is conducted on Saturdays.[7]
See also
- Diamond Exchange District - Israel
- Diamond District - New York City
References
- ^ Organized Crime: Culture, Markets and Policies By J. M. Nelen, p90
- ^ Minerals Yearbook 2008: Area Reports, International, Europe and Central Eurasia, Volume 3, By Interior Department (COR)
- ^ Diamond Bourses in Antwerp Diamond District. Allaboutgemstones.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-02.
- ^ The Heart of the Matter: Sierra Leone, Diamonds and Human Security By Ian Smillie, Lansana Gberie, Partnership Africa Canada, Ralph Hazleton, p27
- ^ a b Antwerp Diamond District. Virtual Globetrotting (2007-03-31). Retrieved on 2011-06-02.
- ^ Recession takes the sparkle out of Antwerp's diamond quarter | World news. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2011-06-02.
- ^ A travel guide to Jewish Europe By Ben G. Frank, p311
External links
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