Has anyone had any experience taking the diamond tours in Amsterdam or Bruges? Worth it or tourist trap? Or with purchasing diamond jewelry?
thanks!
Posted by
Nottingham, UK
658 posts
Some are very good and some are a rip-off.
The best by far is a visit to Van Moppes diamond factory. This is still the largest cutting house in Amsterdam. They still cut and set everything by hand. They also explain to you how gems are assessed by colour, clarity etc. It's very educational.
That having been said it is also true that over the past 20 years most of the trade has moved to Antwerpen in Belgium.
20 years ago you could tour Van Moppes and see 30 to 40 of the worlds leading cutters in action, nowadays it's probably no more than 12 to 15.
You can still buy the best gems both as individual items or in a unique setting of your choice. Buying direct from Van Moppes is a huge saving when you consider the quality of gem and setting you get but there are a lot of zeros on the price tag. Or you can take the tour and walk away, there is absolutely no pressure to buy.
I have never bought a diamond but I did buy a lozenge cut emerald ring for my wife. It came with certification and guarantee as well as a trace certificate proving that the gem was mined under ethical standards and not sourced from a conflict zone.
It is one of the best purchases I have ever made.