Nelson Coleman Jewelers

Buying Diamonds in Antwerp

Behind the Scenes at the World's Diamond Capital 

When you picture buying a diamond, you might think of browsing display cases under bright showroom lights or clicking through an online store. You probably don’t imagine a gray cobblestone street in Belgium, lined with flat-front buildings and guarded vaults. And you certainly don’t picture someone sitting inside one of those vaults with a loupe, a pair of tweezers—and your diamond. 

But that’s what we do. 

At Nelson Coleman Jewelers, we travel more than 3,000 miles to the heart of the Antwerp diamond district, where we hand-select diamonds for our clients from among the finest stones in the world. It’s a process that involves trust, timing, instinct, and a little Belgian chocolate. And it’s one of the things that makes buying a diamond from us unlike anything else. 

What Is the Antwerp Diamond District? 

Antwerp, Belgium may be known for its baroque architecture, colorful streets, and waffles you’ll never forget—but it’s also home to something else: the most important diamond center on earth. Inside the Antwerp diamond district—specifically, a small network of streets called Hoveniersstraat—roughly 80% of the world’s diamonds are cut, polished, and traded.

It’s not a glamorous place on the outside. Think security cameras, armed guards, and buildings with no signage. But behind those blank facades are vaults stacked with parcels of diamonds, dealers speaking a dozen languages, and generations of expertise. This is the starting point for the global diamond market. 

And this is where we go—for you. 

What Most Jewelers Don’t Tell You 

If you’ve never bought a diamond before, you might not realize how most of them are sourced. Jewelers often select stones from wholesalers, choosing from a memo list or ordering sight unseen. Sometimes they rely entirely on diamond grading reports—documents that measure cut, clarity, color, and carat, but say nothing about the actual beauty or performance of the stone.

A diamond report is not a measure of sparkle, or warmth, or charm. It’s a chart. But diamonds aren’t made to live on paper—they’re made to live in light. 

No matter your qualifications, there’s only one way to truly evaluate a diamond: by seeing it in person. In Antwerp, we do just that. We review thousands of diamonds, up close, so that what we bring home isn’t just the right specs—it’s the right stone. 

Why We Travel 3,000 Miles for Your Diamond 

You might wonder why we still fly across the ocean when we could just place an order from our store. The truth is: only a small fraction of jewelers—less than 1% in the U.S.—have independent access to the Antwerp diamond market.We are proud to be part of that group.

We’ve built lasting relationships with cutters, graders, and wholesalers in Antwerp (and yes, a few chocolatiers too). Because of these relationships, we’re able to go straight to the source. We bypass layers of markups and source from freshly cut parcels of diamonds that have not yet been seen by any other consumers. We’re not limited to what’s in stock—we choose what’s truly best for you. 

And we do it all at no additional cost. 

inside the vault

How We Hand-Select Your Antwerp Diamond 

Once we’re inside, it’s just me—Amie, a GIA-certified gemologist—and rows of diamonds laid out in front of me. I spend hours evaluating each stone by hand. Sometimes I know instantly. Once, I opened the second diamond paper of the day and said out loud, “This is it.” The others in the room chuckled, but I meant it. Other times, it takes a full day of quiet, focused searching. Either way, I stay until I find the ones that speak to me. 

This isn’t shopping. It’s something closer to matchmaking. I’m looking for fire, for presence, for that moment when light hits the diamond and I just know. And every time, I’m thinking about the person who’s going to wear it. 

From Vault to You

A Diamond Shopping Experience Like No Other 

Before each trip, I sit down with clients and talk through exactly what they’re looking for—shape, size, color, clarity, budget, personal preferences. With that guidance in mind, I go to work. I review dozens, sometimes hundreds, of stones until I’ve narrowed it down to the top two or three for each person. 

Then I head back to the hotel. Usually around 11 or 11:30PM Antwerp time (after a well-earned Belgian beer), I start making my calls. Antwerp is six or seven hours ahead of Maryland, depending on the time of year, so it’s early evening back home—perfect timing for a quick call or video chat. 

And yes, I do mean video chat. I’ve FaceTimed clients from the vault. I’ve texted pictures, sent Facebook messages, and emailed photos. One client—normally quiet and reserved—lit up when I described the third stone I’d selected. “You like this one the best, don’t you?” he asked. I said yes, and that was it. He was in. That kind of moment? That’s why we do this.

A graduate gemologist evaluates an Antwerp diamond using a loupe and tweezers

What Can You Do with Loose Antwerp Diamonds? 

Loose diamonds open the door to so many possibilities. Custom engagement rings. Restorations. Studs. Tennis bracelets. Pendants. Even replacing lost or damaged stones with perfectly matched ones. 

I once had a friend bring in his wife’s engagement ring for cleaning. One of the side stones had chipped, and a few smaller ones were missing. Rather than send it off for generic replacements, he asked if I could find matches in Antwerp. I did—and she ended up loving her ring even more. 

You don’t always think about buying loose diamonds. But when you do, especially with the variety available in Antwerp, your jewelry can be exactly what you want it to be—not almost. 

already have a diamond?

You Can Still Upgrade Through Antwerp

If you already own a diamond, you can still enjoy the full Antwerp experience. We offer two upgrade options, depending on where your original diamond was purchased.

If your diamond was originally purchased from Nelson Coleman and is in good condition, we’ll honor 100% of your original purchase price toward a new diamond—as long as the new selection is at least twice the original value. It’s our way of helping you grow your diamond story as your life evolves.

If your diamond came from somewhere else, we’re happy to help there too. Our estate jewelry coordinator can evaluate your stone and offer a fair trade value based on current market conditions. You can apply that value toward a new diamond—whether you're looking for a larger size, a new shape, or an upgrade in quality. Either way, the Antwerp experience ensures your next diamond is more than just an upgrade—it’s a step into something unforgettable.

Why It’s More Than Just a Diamond

To me, Antwerp isn’t about inventory. It’s about the look on your face when you see your diamond for the first time. It’s the way her heart swells when she learns it was chosen, just for her, from halfway across the world. It’s the story your great-granddaughter tells one day, holding the ring that started it all. 

Diamonds are a physical representation of love, memory, and legacy. They formed three billion years ago, deep within the earth, and were carried to the surface by volcanoes. They’ve been prized since 30,000 BC, used to celebrate milestones, hold meaning, and carry forward across generations. 

When something is this rare, this meaningful—you don’t take the easy way out. You do it right. That’s why we go to Antwerp. 

Ready to Send Us to Antwerp? 

We typically travel to Antwerp in June—and we would love to shop for you. Whether you’re planning a proposal, creating a custom piece, or restoring a family heirloom, we can help bring your vision to life with a one-of-a-kind diamond from the world’s finest selection. 

Schedule an appointment to meet with our gemologists and tell us what you’re dreaming of. Then leave the rest to us—we’ll bring it home from Belgium. 

FAQs About Antwerp Diamonds

Not necessarily cheaper—but better. Because we’re buying directly from Antwerp before the diamonds hit the broader market, you get access to a higher quality selection for your investment—without retail markups.

Yes! We act as your personal diamond shopper. You tell us what you’re looking for, and we hand-select options while we’re in Antwerp—then connect with you via text, email, or video to help you choose.

Antwerp is the epicenter of the global diamond trade. With access to freshly cut, graded diamonds before they enter the supply chain, you get first pick from among the most exceptional stones in the world.

Absolutely. From engagement rings to earrings, bracelets, and pendants, we work with you to create a piece that reflects your story—with a diamond chosen just for you in Antwerp.