Amsterdam: Diamond center for manufacturing and trading

Amsterdam in Holland is a wonderful market for diamonds. With a rich history that dates way back to the sixteenth century, the diamond factories in Amsterdam rate among the best in the world. Gemisimo.com brings in more insider information on this wonderful diamond center.

History of diamonds in Amsterdam 

Amsterdam has been a world centre for the trade of diamonds since the sixteenth century. The Jews are noted to have brought the industry with them when came to Amsterdam for safety after escaping the Spanish inquisition. Many Jews worked in the diamond industry here, because before granting civil equality in the year 1796, Jews could not become members of trade guilds.

The diamond industry was one of the few not controlled by guilds. From 1870 to 1880, also known as the Cape Period, Amsterdam's diamond industry prospered as new diamond mines were exploited in South Africa. These diamonds were brought to Amsterdam's high end factories for polishing and processing. In 1894, the Diamond Worker's trade union also known as the ANDB was formed, after a major strike by diamond workers. Till 1896, Amsterdam had a well established diamond cutting industry with seventy establishments that had the modern appliances of their times, including steam for motive power.

Over twelve thousand people were employed with each establishment having 450 grinding machines approximately. In 1930, the industry was hit by the great depression and many workers moved to Antwerp. During the World War II, Germans occupied the city and over 100,000 Jews were deported. As the trade was mainly in the hands of Jewish businessmen, the diamond trade essentially disappeared in Amsterdam with this move.

With various changes in the industry, many diamond establishments like Boas had to shut down. While much of the diamond business shifted to Antwerp, trade prospered in Amsterdam due to growing number of tourists. Another reason why diamond cutting industry continues to flourish here is that here banks make loans on diamonds as collateral.

Diamond factories

Today Amsterdam has approximately twelve diamond factories. Among these five factories even offer free guided tours of their facilities. These factories include the name of Coster Diamonds, Gassan Diamonds, Stoeltie Diamonds, Van Moppes Diamonds and Amsterdam Diamond Centre. Among these Coster diamonds was established in 1840 by Moses Elias Coster who was invited by Queen Victoria to re cut the Kohinoor.

The Gassan diamond facility is one of the largest in Amsterdam and flourished in the early 19^th century under the name of the Boas diamond factory. However once depression hit in the 1930s and after the World War II, the industry was taken over by the Germans and then shut down. It was only in the 20^th Century that Gassan's took over. Today the factory conducts diamond tours and also sells diamonds to visitors.  For all those serious about the diamond industry, the tours are a must see, for a deeper understanding of the industry.