Handpicked Antwerp Diamonds, Straight from Belgium
Finding the right diamond can be tough. But what if you could hand pick from the finest Antwerp diamonds that Belgium has to offer.
Designing custom engagement rings and other diamond jewelry is a personal experience. By trusting in our experienced gemologists, you receive exquisite diamonds before they even reach the market – and we keep you involved in the entire selection process (even from Antwerp).
Keep reading to learn about my travels to Belgium, personally shopping for the finest diamonds to meet our clients’ personal specifications.
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Why Choose Antwerp Diamonds?
One question we are commonly asked during the diamond selection process is why we travel to Belgium to handpick our diamonds.
- 80% of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished in Antwerp.
- We have relationships with cutters, wholesalers, diamond graders (and chocolatiers) in Antwerp. This allows us to go directly to the source to hand-select YOUR perfect diamond.
Custom Diamond Selection
Upon walking into one of our many diamond supplier’s offices in Antwerp, parcel upon parcel of loose diamonds are presented for review. The selection process can take from minutes to hours for each particular stone.
The diamonds that we are viewing have not yet been seen by any consumer. We are looking at a selection of Antwerp diamonds that will be, after we view them and decide they aren’t right for our customers or our store, sent all over the world for wholesalers to choose from.
On one trip, when looking for a very special diamond for a customer, I opened the SECOND diamond paper that was presented to me and said out loud (to no one in particular) “This is it!” I turned some heads, I got some chuckles, but I just knew. It’s not always that easy, but I usually get a feeling when I find “the one.” Many times I have called a customer with two or three options. One may have a higher color than what they requested but cost a little bit more. One may have a lower clarity, but is cut beautifully and is under their budget.
Bottom line is this. I get my marching orders from each customer – the size, shape, color, clarity and cut that most appeals to them and fits into their budget. Then I go to Antwerp, sit down, and bury myself in diamonds (not a bad gig, I know) until I find one or two (or three!) for each customer that speaks to me.
Communication: Your Satisfaction is Our Goal
You may be wondering how we communicate with you about one of the most significant purchases of your life from half way around the world. Here’s how – We do all of our homework before we leave. We spend hours, probably 15-16 hours total, in the diamond offices over several days reviewing every single diamond that is available for each customer for whom we are shopping. We narrow this selection down to the best two or three or four options. Then we go back to the hotel and have a Belgian beer (I’m being serious here).
After dinner, back at the hotel around 11 or 11:30PM Antwerp time, I make my calls. Antwerp is 6 or 7 hours ahead (depending on the time of year – they don’t have daylight savings time) so that’s usually early evening back at home. 9 times out of 10, the client can hear the passion in my voice about which stone spoke to me for them.
There was one customer from a few years back who was very flat regarding his diamond purchase. We couldn’t get much of an emotional response out of him, but he loved the idea of the selection that the Antwerp trip offered. I was explaining his options on the phone and when I got to the 3rd option – my personal favorite for him – he stopped me and said “you like this one the best, don’t you?” I told him I did and explained why. He said, “That’s it, let’s do it!”
In the weeks leading up to the Antwerp trip I had seen him 3 times in the store and I had never heard such enthusiasm from him. I had to double check the phone number to make sure I was speaking to the correct customer! He was thrilled with his diamond and his fiancé was one happy young lady.
Phone calls aren’t our only option. I take my iPad into the diamond offices and have emailed pictures to customers while I silt with their diamond in front of me. I have face-timed customers, sent Facebook messages, text messages. You name it. We can do it. Don’t you love this global world of technology we live in today? Our goal is to help you find the perfect diamond and make sure you are involved in the entire process!