Quick answer
Antwerp has been the diamond capital of the world for over five centuries. Today, 84% of rough diamonds and 50% of polished diamonds pass through this small Belgian city, concentrated in a few blocks near Central Station known as the Diamond Quarter (Diamantkwartier).
- Best overall
- DIVA Diamond Museum
- Top pick
- DIVA Diamond Museum
Top verdicts
- DIVA Diamond Museum: Understanding Antwerp's diamond history before exploring the quarter
- Diamondland: First-time visitors wanting education + potential purchase in one stop
- HRD Antwerp (Diamond High Council): Serious buyers wanting to understand certification, industry professionals
The quarter spans just a handful of streets — Pelikaanstraat, Hoveniersstraat, and Schupstraat form the core — but contains four diamond exchanges, over 1,500 diamond companies, and processes an estimated $48 billion in diamonds annually. It's one of the most surveilled areas in Europe, with extensive CCTV and regular police patrols.
Important: Many Diamond Quarter businesses are wholesale-only or require appointments. We've focused on experiences accessible to tourists and retail customers.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DIVA Diamond Museum | Museum | budget | Historic Center |
| 2 | Diamondland | Showroom | free | Diamond Quarter |
| 3 | HRD Antwerp (Diamond High Council) | Institution | free | Diamond Quarter |
| 4 | Wouters & Hendrix | Designer | premium | Historic Center |
| 5 | Antwerp Diamond Bourse | Experience | free | Diamond Quarter |
| 6 | Pelikaanstraat Diamond Shops | Street | free | Diamond Quarter |
| 7 | Schupstraat Jewelers Row | Street | free | Diamond Quarter |
| 8 | Diamond Pavilion Visitor Center | Experience | budget | Diamond Quarter |
| 9 | Hoveniersstraat Showrooms | Showroom | premium | Diamond Quarter |
| 10 | Belgian Diamond House | Showroom | mid | Diamond Quarter |
1DIVA Diamond Museum
MuseumQuick comparison
- Best for
- Understanding Antwerp's diamond history before exploring the quarter
- Strengths
- Known for Museum
- Limitations
- Not in Diamond Quarter itself (10-min walk), closed Mondays
- Why it made the list
- Consistently rated as essential for any diamond-related visit to Antwerp
- What to order
- DIVA Diamond Museum is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
2Diamondland
ShowroomQuick comparison
- Best for
- First-time visitors wanting education + potential purchase in one stop
- Strengths
- Known for Showroom
- Limitations
- Can feel touristy, prices may not be lowest in quarter
- Why it made the list
- Highest-rated tourist showroom, consistently positive reviews for service
- What to order
- Diamondland is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
3HRD Antwerp (Diamond High Council)
InstitutionQuick comparison
- Best for
- Serious buyers wanting to understand certification, industry professionals
- Strengths
- Known for Institution
- Limitations
- Not a retail showroom, tours require advance booking
- Why it made the list
- Understanding HRD certification is essential for buying diamonds in Antwerp
- What to order
- HRD Antwerp (Diamond High Council) is a featured pick in this guide.
4Wouters & Hendrix
DesignerQuick comparison
- Best for
- Design enthusiasts, those seeking unique artistic jewelry vs traditional diamonds
- Strengths
- Known for Designer
- Limitations
- Not traditional diamond jewelry, premium pricing
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- Represents Antwerp's contemporary jewelry design heritage alongside traditional diamonds
- What to order
- Wouters & Hendrix is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
5Antwerp Diamond Bourse
ExperienceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Understanding the scale of Antwerp's diamond trade, photo opportunities
- Strengths
- Known for Experience
- Limitations
- Interior not accessible to tourists, members only
- Why it made the list
- The symbolic heart of the global diamond trade — worth seeing even from outside
- What to order
- Antwerp Diamond Bourse is a featured pick in this guide.
6Pelikaanstraat Diamond Shops
StreetQuick comparison
- Best for
- Comparison shopping, experiencing the concentration of the diamond trade
- Strengths
- Known for Street
- Limitations
- Quality varies, some aggressive sales tactics, always verify certification
- Why it made the list
- The iconic Diamond Quarter street that every visitor walks through
- What to order
- Pelikaanstraat Diamond Shops is a featured pick in this guide.
7Schupstraat Jewelers Row
StreetQuick comparison
- Best for
- Custom jewelry work, vintage pieces, more personal service
- Strengths
- Known for Street
- Limitations
- Some shops wholesale-only, may need appointments
- Why it made the list
- Represents the artisan side of Antwerp's diamond trade
- What to order
- Schupstraat Jewelers Row is a featured pick in this guide.
8Diamond Pavilion Visitor Center
ExperienceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Quick orientation to the diamond trade before exploring shops
- Strengths
- Known for Experience
- Limitations
- Smaller than DIVA, less depth, some content feels dated
- Why it made the list
- Convenient in-quarter education for those not visiting DIVA
- What to order
- Diamond Pavilion Visitor Center is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
9Hoveniersstraat Showrooms
ShowroomQuick comparison
- Best for
- Serious buyers with larger budgets, exceptional stones
- Strengths
- Known for Showroom
- Limitations
- Many B2B only, appointments often required, not for casual browsing
- Price / value
- $$$ – $$$$
- Why it made the list
- Where the most valuable transactions happen for serious collectors
- What to order
- Hoveniersstraat Showrooms is a featured pick in this guide.
10Belgian Diamond House
ShowroomQuick comparison
- Best for
- Tourists wanting education + shopping, similar to Diamondland
- Strengths
- Known for Showroom
- Limitations
- Similar to Diamondland — pick one or compare both
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Highly-rated tourist showroom with good reputation
- What to order
- Belgian Diamond House is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
Frequently asked questions
Is Antwerp a good place to buy diamonds?
Yes, Antwerp is one of the best places in the world to buy diamonds. Over 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through Antwerp, and the city has been the global diamond capital for over 500 years. The concentration of dealers means competitive pricing, and Belgian consumer protection laws are strong. However, you need to do your homework and buy from reputable dealers with proper certification.
How much cheaper are diamonds in Antwerp?
Diamonds in Antwerp can be 30-50% cheaper than retail prices in other countries, depending on the stone. Wholesale-to-public showrooms offer the best deals. However, the savings vary based on what you're buying and who you're comparing against. Always get GIA or HRD certification and compare like-for-like before assuming you're getting a deal.
What is the Diamond Quarter in Antwerp?
The Diamond Quarter (Diamantkwartier) is a small area near Antwerp Central Station bounded by Pelikaanstraat, Hoveniersstraat, Schupstraat, and Vestingstraat. It contains four diamond exchanges, 1,500+ diamond companies, and processes $48 billion in rough and polished diamonds annually. The area is heavily secured with CCTV and police presence.
Can tourists buy diamonds in Antwerp's Diamond Quarter?
Yes, several showrooms cater specifically to tourists. Diamondland, Belgian Diamond House, and various shops on Pelikaanstraat welcome retail customers. However, many businesses are wholesale-only or require appointments. For the best experience, visit tourist-friendly showrooms that offer demonstrations and education, then decide if you want to make a purchase.
What certification should I look for when buying diamonds in Antwerp?
Look for GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or HRD Antwerp certification. Both are internationally recognized and guarantee accurate grading of the 4Cs (cut, clarity, color, carat). HRD is based in Antwerp and is particularly respected in Europe. Avoid uncertified stones or certificates from unknown labs, as grading can be inconsistent.
Is the DIVA Museum worth visiting?
Absolutely. DIVA is Antwerp's museum dedicated to diamonds, jewelry, and silverware. It offers excellent context for understanding why Antwerp became the diamond capital, with beautiful exhibits, historical pieces, and interactive displays. Entry is around 12 EUR and it's a great first stop before exploring the Diamond Quarter itself.
What are the opening hours of the Diamond Quarter?
Most diamond businesses operate Monday-Friday, 9:00-17:00. Some tourist-oriented showrooms like Diamondland open Saturdays. The area is notably quiet on weekends and Jewish holidays, as the diamond trade has a significant Orthodox Jewish community. For the most activity and best selection, visit on a weekday morning.
Should I haggle when buying diamonds in Antwerp?
Negotiation is expected and accepted in the Diamond Quarter. Wholesale-oriented dealers expect it, and even tourist showrooms have some flexibility. Start by knowing market prices (check online retailers like Blue Nile for reference), ask for VAT refund paperwork if you're a non-EU resident, and be prepared to walk away. Cash purchases may get better prices at some dealers.