The Antwerp World Diamond Centre — known as the AWDC — is the institution that keeps Antwerp at the top of the global diamond trade. It is the driving force behind the infrastructure, regulation, and international reputation that make the Antwerp diamond district the most important diamond hub on earth.
But what exactly does the AWDC do? Why was it created? And what does it mean for you when you buy a certified diamond from an Antwerp dealer?
This guide explains everything — from the AWDC's origins and mission to its role in ethical sourcing, the Kimberley Process, and why its existence directly benefits every diamond buyer.
What Is the AWDC?
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre is a public-private partnership between the Belgian diamond industry and the Belgian federal government. Established to safeguard and promote Antwerp's dominant position in the global diamond market, the AWDC acts as the official representative body for the entire Belgian diamond sector.
The organisation's headquarters are located in the heart of the Antwerp diamond district, just steps from Antwerp Central Station. It represents more than 1,600 diamond companies that collectively handle approximately 86% of the world's rough diamonds and over 50% of all polished diamonds traded globally.
These are not just numbers. They translate into an annual diamond trade worth approximately €48 billion — making the Antwerp diamond sector one of Belgium's most significant economic pillars.
- 1,600+ companies represented across the full supply chain
- €48 billion in annual diamond trade flowing through Antwerp
- 86% of global rough diamond trade passes through the district
- Four diamond bourses (regulated trading floors) under AWDC oversight
- 30,000+ jobs supported directly and indirectly by the diamond sector
Pro Tip: The AWDC's oversight is one of the key reasons Antwerp diamonds carry such a strong reputation. When you buy from an Antwerp-based dealer like Diamantwerp, you benefit from this institutional framework — something you won't find when buying from unregulated sources online.
For more information, visit the official AWDC website.
The History Behind the AWDC
To understand why the AWDC exists, you need to understand the scale and complexity of Antwerp's diamond industry.
500 Years of Diamond Heritage
Antwerp has been a diamond trading centre since the 15th century. For hundreds of years, the trade operated informally — dealers met on the streets, in cafés, and at open markets. Deals were sealed with a handshake and the Yiddish phrase "mazzel un broche" (luck and blessing).
As the trade grew in volume and value — especially after the discovery of major diamond deposits in South Africa in the late 1800s — it became clear that informal arrangements could no longer support a multi-billion dollar industry.
Formalisation of the Diamond Trade
Throughout the 20th century, Antwerp's diamond infrastructure was gradually formalised. Four official diamond bourses (regulated trading floors) were established, the Belgian government created the Diamond Office to monitor imports and exports, and world-class certification laboratories — GIA, HRD Antwerp, and IGI — set up operations in the district.
The AWDC was created to bring all of these elements together under one coordinating body. By combining government oversight with industry expertise, it ensures that Antwerp's diamond trade operates at the highest standards of transparency, ethics, and professionalism.
What Does the AWDC Actually Do?
The AWDC's work spans five core areas that together form the backbone of Antwerp's diamond infrastructure:
1. The Diamond Office
Perhaps the most critical function. The Diamond Office is a specialised government agency, operated under AWDC coordination, that handles the import, export, and transit of all rough and polished diamonds entering or leaving Belgium. Every shipment is registered, inspected, and verified against Kimberley Process certificates.
This means that no rough diamond enters the Belgian market without documented proof that it has been ethically sourced. The Diamond Office processes tens of thousands of shipments per year — making it one of the busiest diamond customs operations in the world.
2. Business Support for Diamond Companies
The AWDC helps diamond companies with:
- Company registration and licensing in Belgium
- Navigating regulatory compliance (EU trade law, anti-money laundering, tax regulations)
- Connecting international traders with Antwerp-based partners
- Market intelligence and industry data
This support infrastructure is one reason why so many international diamond companies choose to base their European operations in Antwerp rather than London, Amsterdam, or Tel Aviv.
3. International Trade Promotion
The AWDC actively promotes Antwerp's diamond sector worldwide through:
- International trade missions to diamond-producing countries (Botswana, Russia, Canada, Australia)
- Organisation of and participation in major trade fairs
- Networking events that connect rough suppliers with cutters, polishers, and retailers
- The flagship marketing campaign "Diamonds & Antwerp — It's in our DnA"
4. Security Infrastructure
Given that billions of euros in diamonds pass through the district daily, security is paramount. The AWDC coordinates comprehensive security measures including CCTV networks, access controls, private security patrols, and secure transport services. The district is one of the most closely monitored areas in Belgium.
5. Education and Research
The AWDC invests in the future of the trade through partnerships with institutions like WTOCD (the Scientific and Technical Research Centre for Diamonds) and training programmes for the next generation of diamond professionals. This includes advanced diamond grading courses, cutting technology research, and innovation in diamond identification.
Pro Tip: The AWDC's educational initiatives are one reason why Antwerp-based diamond experts tend to be exceptionally well-trained. At Diamantwerp, our team includes GIA-graduated gemologists with decades of experience in the Antwerp trade — expertise that directly benefits every customer we serve.
The Kimberley Process: How the AWDC Ensures Ethical Diamonds
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is the international framework that prevents conflict diamonds — also known as "blood diamonds" — from entering the legitimate diamond supply chain. It was established in 2003 after intense international pressure following civil conflicts in Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo that were partly funded by illegal diamond sales.
The AWDC plays a central role in this system. Through the Diamond Office, every shipment of rough diamonds entering or leaving Belgium is verified against a Kimberley Process certificate. This certificate confirms:
- The country of origin of the rough diamonds
- That the diamonds were mined and exported legally
- That the exporting country is a Kimberley Process participant
- That the shipment has not been tampered with during transit
Belgium was one of the founding participants of the Kimberley Process, and Antwerp's Diamond Office is widely considered the gold standard for KPCS implementation worldwide.
For diamond buyers, this matters enormously. When you purchase a diamond that has been traded through Antwerp, you can be confident that it has passed through one of the world's most regulated and transparent diamond trading environments.
Want to understand more about how diamond quality is independently verified? Read our guide to diamond certification: GIA, HRD, and IGI explained.
Pro Tip: Always ask your diamond dealer whether the stone has been traded through a Kimberley Process-compliant channel. All diamonds at Diamantwerp are fully compliant — certified by GIA, HRD, or IGI, and traded through the AWDC-regulated Antwerp market.
The Four Diamond Bourses of Antwerp
Under the AWDC's umbrella, Antwerp is home to four official diamond bourses — regulated trading floors where diamonds are bought and sold between licensed professionals:
- Beurs voor Diamanthandel — the oldest and largest, located on the Pelikaanstraat (the same street as Diamantwerp)
- Diamantclub van Antwerpen — one of the world's oldest diamond clubs
- Vrije Diamanthandel — specialising in polished diamond trading
- Antwerpsche Diamantkring — the most recent addition, focused on modern trading practices
Together, these four bourses form the backbone of Antwerp's diamond trading infrastructure. Membership requires strict vetting, and all trades conducted on the floors are governed by established rules and dispute resolution procedures. This creates a level of trust, accountability, and transparency that is unique to Antwerp.
The bourses are also where many international diamond dealers come to source stones. If you walk through the Hoveniersstraat or Pelikaanstraat, you'll see dealers from India, Israel, the United States, Japan, and dozens of other countries — all drawn by the unmatched concentration of supply and expertise.
HRD Antwerp: The AWDC’s Certification Laboratory
HRD Antwerp (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) is one of the world's three most respected diamond grading laboratories, alongside GIA and IGI. What many people don't know is that HRD Antwerp was originally established by the AWDC as the industry's own grading laboratory.
Today, HRD Antwerp operates independently but maintains a close relationship with the AWDC ecosystem. It is particularly respected for its expertise in grading diamond cut quality and for its advanced methods of detecting synthetic and treated diamonds.
An HRD certificate is widely accepted across Europe and increasingly worldwide. Together with GIA and IGI certificates, it provides buyers with an independent, scientifically rigorous assessment of a diamond's 4 C's: cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight.
Pro Tip: Not sure which certificate to trust? Our guide to GIA vs HRD vs IGI certification breaks down the differences. Short answer: all three are excellent. The best certificate is the one that comes from a lab you trust and that your market recognises.
What the AWDC Means for Diamond Buyers
You don't need to interact with the AWDC directly to benefit from its work. Its impact is built into every Antwerp diamond transaction. Here's what it means for you:
Ethical confidence. The Kimberley Process enforcement and Diamond Office checks mean your diamond has been ethically sourced and legally traded. This matters — especially if you want to be certain your purchase hasn't funded conflict.
Price advantage. Because the AWDC attracts such a high concentration of dealers and supply, competition in Antwerp is intense. This keeps prices significantly below retail — typically 30–75% less than what you'd pay in a jewellery store for an equivalent certified loose diamond.
Certification quality. The presence of GIA, HRD, and IGI within the district means diamonds can be graded and certified on the spot — with the highest standards of accuracy and independence.
Expertise depth. Over 500 years of accumulated knowledge, passed down through generations of diamond cutters, traders, and gemologists. When you buy from an experienced Antwerp dealer, you benefit from this deep expertise in cut, colour, clarity, and carat evaluation.
Dispute resolution. Trades conducted through the bourses are governed by established rules. If a dispute arises, there are formal resolution procedures — a level of buyer protection that informal markets simply cannot offer.
Diamantwerp and the AWDC
Diamantwerp has been part of the Antwerp diamond district since 1987. Based at Pelikaanstraat 62 — on the same street as the historic Beurs voor Diamanthandel — we operate within the framework that the AWDC maintains.
Every diamond in our collection is:
- Certified by GIA, HRD, or IGI — the world's leading grading laboratories
- 100% ethically sourced — fully compliant with Kimberley Process standards
- Traded through the Antwerp market — benefiting from the AWDC's regulatory infrastructure
- Priced up to 75% below traditional retail — because we sell directly from the source
Whether you're looking for a classic round brilliant, an elegant oval, a modern princess cut, a sophisticated emerald cut, or any other diamond shape, our team of certified gemologists can guide you through the selection process with personal advice and no obligation.
Pro Tip: Ready to explore certified diamonds from the heart of the Antwerp diamond district? Browse our collection online or contact our team for personalised guidance. Every purchase comes with full certification documentation and our quality guarantee.