HRD Antwerp
News & events
HRD Antwerp Diamond Lab announces new fast-track services to Israel
Senior officials from HRD Antwerp and the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE), as well as many IDE members, attended the launch on Thursday, February 18, of an expansion of the HRD Antwerp's Lab Link service to Israel at a special event at the exchange. HRD Antwerp General Manager Georges Brys announced that the shipping company, Ferrari International/D2D, had been selected to provide the service as of February 21.
Attendees at the event were treated to a special talk by leading Israeli journalist Ron Ben Yishai, known to Israelis for 30 years as a reporter and commentator on defense and security issues in the Middle East.
Ferrari/D2D will serve as official freight forwarder and logistics provider for the HRD Antwerp Lab Link service for Israeli clients, with full door-to-door secured services which will be under their full liability. With this partnership, HRD Antwerp introduced new rates for the Lab Link service. The cost is a fixed rate of 2 € per diamond + 0,11 percent of the declared value with a minimum of 75 €. HRD Antwerp launched the Lab Link service to Israel in July 2007 with the aim of providing the Israeli diamond centre with direct access to the HRD Diamond Lab, one of the world's most respected diamond grading organisations.
In addition, HRD Antwerp launched its Fast Service in Israel, a service which already exists in Belgium. The fast service provides for diamonds to be collected on Sundays and Wednesdays from the offices of customers in Tel Aviv and returned with their certificates after grading in Antwerp three days later. Goods collected on Sundays will be returned the following Wednesday, while diamonds that are picked up on Wednesdays will be delivered with their certificates on the following Sunday. For this service clients only have to pay an additional fee of 30% on the examination fee and the costs of Diamond Office in Belgium.
HRD Antwerp - Diamond Lab is one of the best-known diamond grading centres in the world and operates the Lab Link service to Mumbai, Dubai and Hong Kong, as well as India.
For more information, please contact HRD Antwerp Diamond Lab at tel.: +32 3 222 06 25 or e-mail: diamondlab@hrdantwerp.be.
More news:
- HRD Antwerp launches one-day fast-track certificate service in Belgium
HRD Antwerp launches one-day fast-track certificate service in Belgium 
HRD Antwerp is extending its diamond certification services with a special fast-track route in Belgium for diamonds which require urgent processing.
Starting October 1st, diamonds delivered before 10.00 am at the HRD Antwerp – Diamond Lab will be returned certified the same day, after 4 pm. This special service is offered at a 30% additional fee.
"Providing this service, allows diamond dealers to speed up business transactions," said Georges Brys, General Manager HRD Antwerp. "The new service addresses requests from the diamond industry to immediately be able to supply a diamond with its corresponding certificate."
The number of diamonds that can be processed daily is limited, so the service will be operated on a "first come, first serve" basis.
For more information, please contact HRD Antwerp at tel.: +32 3 222 06 25 or e-mail: diamondlab@hrdantwerp.be. - Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping visits HRD Antwerp
Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping visits HRD Antwerp 
HRD Antwerp welcomed Vice-President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China. H.E. Jinping was welcomed by H.R.H. Prince Philip of Belgium, Minister of Economy and Enterprise Vincent Van Quickenborne and the Board of Directors of Antwerp World Diamond Centre and HRD Antwerp.
H.E. Jinping visited the AWDC Diamond Office, the inspection office for Belgian diamond imports and exports, before heading to the HRD Antwerp – Diamond Lab, one of the major diamond labs worldwide which issues grading reports for polished diamonds.
The delegation was granted a special tour through the HRD Antwerp – Diamond Lab and introduced to the high technological equipment used in the laboratory like the Lumisense, an innovative diamond colour grading instrument and our unique Hearts and Arrows software. Samples of our advanced laser technology and security features in our certificates were also explained.
At the end of the visit, as symbol of friendship between China and Belgium, H.E. Jinping was presented a two carat diamond with laser inscribed Chinese flag on the table. The diamond is an HRD Antwerp certified "Blue Flame", a new Antwerp designed diamond cut for Tesiro and launched in Antwerp in January 2009.
In addition, HRD Antwerp was honoured to offer its very first HRD Antwerp jewellery reports, with two exceptional diamond jewellery pieces. A China-flag pin, incrusted with 5 diamonds estimated at a total of 3.05 ct, representing the 5 stars of the Chinese flag, and 60 rubies symbolising the 60th anniversary of the PR of China, was offered to H.E. Jinping.
Secondly, a gold necklace featuring a solitaire 1ct brilliant cut diamond, was offered to H.R.H. Prince Philip of Belgium. - HRD Antwerp partners with new quality label European Quality Circle
HRD Antwerp partners with new quality label European Quality Circle 
HRD Antwerp has reached a partnership agreement with the quality label EQC (European Quality Circle), according to which HRD Antwerp will provide the organisation with its expertise and quality services. HRD Antwerp will become the preferred partner in supplying diamonds certificates and jewellery reports to the association.
In addition, HRD Antwerp will share its gemmological knowledge and training services with EQC’s members, mostly European jewellers. As preferred partner, HRD Antwerp will provide the EQC-jewellers with personalised HRD Antwerp diamond certificates.
"The aim of this partnership, is to better inform the diamond jewellery consumer. As HRD Antwerp, it is our main goal to promote Antwerp as the centre of excellence. Objectivity, reliability and quality are the basis for consumer confidence", states Georges Brys, General Manager of HRD Antwerp. - HRD Antwerp sponsor of Miss Diamond contest 2009
HRD Antwerp sponsor of Miss Diamond contest 2009 
HRD Antwerp was honoured to support the 28th edition of the Miss Diamond contest, which took place in the prestigious Antwerp Hilton Hotel on November 21st.
Among the 14 finalist ladies, the lucky winner Goele Govaerts, was awarded an exclusive diamond jewellery, offered and certified by HRD Antwerp, which presented its brand-new HRD Antwerp diamond jewellery report to a diamond-loving audience.
To enhance their natural beauty, the participants were offered the chance to gracefully show a selection of the exclusive HRD Awards jewellery collection, featuring diamond jewellery pieces created by young international designers during the 2009 edition of the contest "Once Upon a time, my favourite fairy tale". - HRD Antwerp is now certifying the diamond cut, the "Antwerp Twins"
HRD Antwerp is now certifying the diamond cut, the "Antwerp Twins" 
The certification standards were set up in collaboration with WTOCD, the research and scientific arm of HRD Antwerp. For buyers this means that an Antwerp Twins diamond they are buying will have its own dedicated certificate, rather than a comment on a certificate.
The new cut gained its name from its two faceted domes on the crown and pavilion side. All diamonds classified as Antwerp Twins share one feature in common: a fully faceted dome-shaped crown, with either no table at all or only a tiny 'culet'-style facet in the centre of the crown. The new cut-design for stones in different shapes creates a sparkling design with no compromise on light output.
Antwerp based 3D Diamonds introduced the new cut. Eva Van Looveren, CEO of 3D Diamonds, revealed that the cut is based on a personal story. "When I was pregnant, I discovered to be expecting twins. Then, I hit upon the idea to create a special diamond for my twins. Twins catch more attention and the diamond had to do the same. This was the concept: a double sparkling, infinite binary 'living' diamond."
For more information, please contact:
HRD Antwerp – Diamond Lab
Tel: +32 3 222 06 25
E-mail: diamondlab@hrdantwerp.be - HRD Antwerp awards prize to winner of "Jewellery Competition for Schools"
HRD Antwerp awards prize to winner of "Jewellery Competition for Schools" 
For the 8th time the award ceremony for the "Jewellery Competition for Schools" was held in Antwerp. The aim of the competition is to stimulate students to choose for a creative career and offer them job opportunities. The competition is a joint initiative and receives support from the City of Antwerp, Antwerp World Diamond Centre, HRD Antwerp and the city of Kortrijk. The selected jewellery pieces were put on display in numerous cities as well as the Antwerp Diamond Museum.
Participants were asked to create a jewellery piece around the theme “illusion”. DIRK BEKAERT (SCVO Nijverheidsschool Antwerpen) won the design price with his jewellery piece named– ‘Ceci n’est pas une cérise’. EVA VAN AGTMAAL (TNA Antwerpen) called her piece ‘Bienvenidos a mi mundo’ and won the price for craftsmanship. The last prize chosen by the public was won by SIGGI SHARMA (SCVO Nijverheidsschool Antwerpen) with her piece of 'Midsummer night dreams'. Ms. Sharma was awarded with a Certified Diamond Grader course by HRD Antwerp. - HRD Antwerp Welcomes Nationwide Jewellers
HRD Antwerp Welcomes Nationwide Jewellers 
The products and services of HRD Antwerp are known worldwide. Every year the Nationwide Jewellers invites their clients to accompany them on a trip to the diamond industry in Belgium and the offices of HRD Antwerp. - HRD Antwerp welcomes MODEBUTIKERNA
HRD Antwerp welcomes MODEBUTIKERNA 
MODEBUTIKERNA, a Swedish association representing independent retailers in fashion, visited the HRD Antwerp offices. They were introduced to the Antwerp diamond heritage and the products of HRD Antwerp. In addition they were informed about the world renown HRD Awards, a unique jewellery award show where participants from around the world strive to create the most innovative jewellery piece. - HRD Antwerp worldwide
HRD Antwerp worldwide 
HRD Antwerp at the Hong Kong Fair
HRD Antwerp joined the largest Belgian Pavilion in history at the Hong Kong September Fair. The Hong Kong Fair is now the world largest trade fair of its kind and to facilitate our customers, HRD Antwerp has offered an on-site sealing service for those who have a HRD Antwerp Certified diamonds. The sealing service was a great success and has been positively received by our customers. To keep the public informed, Dr. Katrien De Corte had given an insight on diamonds through her seminar "Diamond Science at your service". And with the "Antwerp Twins" special cut diamond showcased at our booth, HRD Antwerp has shown an example of creating a customized certificate for diamonds with special cuts.
HRD Antwerp at Turkey Fair
HRD Antwerp was present at the bi-annual Istanbul Jewelry Show held in the Expo Center. This fair is the biggest fair in Turkey and specialised for the trade only. During this trade fair we took the opportunity to introduce the following new courses for the Turkish market: Sales Course, Design Course and Diamond Grading Courses.
For more information contact our local representative Mehmet-Can Özdemir, at tel: +90 (212) 512 42 46, or e-mail: mehmetcanozdemir@hrdantwerp.net - HRD Antwerp launches its website in 4 languages
HRD Antwerp launches its website in 4 languages 
HRD Antwerp which provides grading, gemmological, educational, technological and research services to the international diamond and jewellery industries, has launched its new website.
Amongst different features, the site has been redesigned to meet consumer's demand and facilitate access to HRD Antwerp's services, and most of all its certification services. The site's facelift includes strong graphics and a dynamic presentation of the new HRD Antwerp certificate, issued since January 5th.
The site encloses animation tools explaining in maximum 3 clicks the exclusive security features included in the certificate. With the aid of a virtual loupe, the visitor can explore its line structures, watermark, embossed logo, fluo marks and micro text. To demonstrate its transparent grading system, HRD Antwerp displays detailed information about its refined cut grade and hearts & arrows measuring system.
Also built-in is the HRD Antwerp Link service, the online application which enables clients to check their certificates data online. HRD Antwerp diamond certificates, diamond colour certificates and diamond identification reports for smaller stones, can be retrieved online, 24 hours a day, by simply connecting directly to the HRD Antwerp database, where certificates are kept for a period of 10 years. Each document can be retrieved in English, Turkish, Mandarin, Cantonese and Arabic.
"The launch of the new site coincides with the revamping of the HRD Antwerp certificate. As consumers are gaining awareness of the importance of a diamond certificate, the online presentation of a product is essential. We wanted to create a clear, flexible and user-friendly interaction with our consumer", states Georges Brys, General Manager of HRD Antwerp.
For more information regarding our products and services contact:
Tel.: +32 3 222 06 11
E-mail: info@hrdantwerp.be - HRD Antwerp has launched a new portable microscope
HRD Antwerp has launched a new portable microscope 
HRD Antwerp has a long experience in investigating and grading diamonds. Since the successful introduction of the D-scope in 2001 there has been an increasing demand of creating a compact microscope. Just recently HRD Antwerp has launched the brother of its D-Scope microscope, the "D-Scope DV4".
This new microscope is a portable and compact and especially designed for the jewellery market. D-Scope DV4 has a high quality stereo zoom microscope with gem manipulator and vacuum system identical/similar to the original D-scope. It is equipped with a sophisticated illumination system that consists of unique halogen dark field lighting and LED-top lights for quick examination possibilities.
For more information on this or our other products, please contact:
HRD Antwerp - Equipment
Tel.: +32 3 222 05 55
Fax: +32 3 222 05 59
E-mail: equipment@hrdantwerp.be - HRD Antwerp certificates picked to empower popular Chinese Internet brand
HRD Antwerp certificates picked to empower popular Chinese Internet brand 
Zbird.com, one of China's most important online retailers of diamond jewellery, has formed a partnership with HRD Antwerp. This agreement has been reached thanks to the efforts of the HRD Antwerp representative office that opened in 2008 in the Diamond Exchange of Shanghai. Zbird.com will promote and sell diamond jewellery with grading reports supplied by the Antwerp diamond lab. Zbird will also promote the HRD Antwerp certificate on its website and through its shops in the most important Chinese cities.
"This strategic cooperation between HRD Antwerp and Zbird will provide Zbird's customers with diamond set jewellery that have been certified by one of the world�s most respected grading labs. The certificates will display the brand logos of both HRD Antwerp and Zbird", explained Georges Brys, General Manager of HRD Antwerp.
The agreement between Zbird and HRD Antwerp was inaugurated at a celebration held at the Belgian Consulate in Shanghai in the presence of the Consul General of Belgium, Mr. Marc Pecsteen. HRD Antwerp is the first international diamond grading lab providing Chinese customers with a website in Chinese (www.hrdantwerp.be).
For more information about our office in China, please contact:
Ms. Jun Jiang
Tel.: + 86 21 5098 89 66
E-mail: jun.jiang@hrdantwerp.be - HRD Antwerp's diamond road show sparkles in China
HRD Antwerp's diamond road show sparkles in China 
HRD Antwerp kicked off a 'Diamond road show' in Beijing on January 17. This promotional tour is a joint effort with Caibai, China's number one jewellery plaza.
The 'Diamond road show' featured the famous ECC Diamond Trophy, also called the ECC Racket of the Antwerp Diamonds Cup, set with 1600 top quality Antwerp cut brilliants. With a total weight of 150 carats and 13,23 pounds of fine gold, it is valued at 1 million Euros and has been offered to the Antwerp Diamonds Cup tennis champion since 1985.
After Beijing, 19 other cities will successively host the trophy. By the end of 2009, millions of Chinese consumers will have been able to experience the luxury of diamonds, brought to life by this brilliant masterpiece.
HRD Antwerp's relationship with China started more than 10 years ago. Throughout the past decade, HRD Antwerp has been training many people in China�s diamond industry, many of whom now hold top positions in the sector. In November 2007, HRD Antwerp expanded its operations with the opening of a representative office in Shanghai. Since then, diamond certificates, gemmological grading and educational services have been provided extensively to the Chinese market.
"China's consumer base is growing, and along with it, the market for luxury goods. It is clear that for diamonds, now and in the years to come, China is the place to be", explains Georges Brys, General Manger of HRD Antwerp.
For more information about our office in China, please contact:
Ms. Jun Jiang
Tel.: + 86 21 5098 89 66
E-mail: jun.jiang@hrdantwerp.be - Antwerp's Blue Flame diamond on the red carpet
Antwerp's Blue Flame diamond on the red carpet 
A new diamond cut produced in Antwerp was unveiled. Called the "Blue Flame," the 89-facet diamond drew the attention of the paparazzi at one of Europe's most prestigious film festivals.
Created by Eurostar Diamond Traders, the Blue Flame diamond cut was revealed during an exclusive preview event held at the Rubens House in Antwerp. There, in the former residence of the Renaissance master painter, Peter Paul Rubens, himself a collector of diamonds, guests were treated to a fashion show featuring jewellery set with the Blue Flame cut. The jewellery was all designed for Tesiro, which is a joint venture of Eurostar and the Chinese Tongling Group that operates more than 150 shops in China and plans to open 300 more over the next three to five year.
Tesiro was also a sponsor of the Berlin Film Festival, which opened in the German capital on February 5th. It is there that the Blue Flame jewels were worn on the red carpet by a star-studded cast that included Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta Jones and Kate Winslet.
"The Blue Flame diamond cut was designed by an Antwerp cutter, Bernard Van Pul," explained Freddy J. Hanard, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). "Our city's centuries-long tradition of craftsmanship and the "Cut in Antwerp" label command worldwide respect. We are delighted that so important a Chinese jewellery manufacturer has developed a jewellery line with an Antwerp producer. Exports of rough diamonds from Antwerp to China have grown by 15 percent annually since 2002, both in value and in carat weight, and imports of polished from China and exports of polished to China have grown steadily as well."
Every Blue Flame cut diamond is accompanied by a diamond grading report issued by HRD Antwerp. "This is an excellent opportunity to introduce our new and improved HRD Antwerp certificate to a Chinese audience," said Georges Brys, HRD Antwerp's General Manager. "Today more than ever consumer confidence is critical. The choice of the HRD Antwerp certificate is acknowledgement of the growing recognition we enjoy in the Asian markets." - HRD Antwerp offers its Contemporary Diamond Jewellery Design Course in Lebanon
HRD Antwerp offers its Contemporary Diamond Jewellery Design Course in Lebanon 
HRD Antwerp offered for the first time in Lebanon its latest training programme, contemporary diamond jewellery design. The five-day course is developed to equip students with the skills necessary for transferring creative ideas into practical concepts on paper, trainees are also instructed in the fundamentals of diamonds in modern jewellery design and the aesthetics of the presentation on paper. The blue-ribbon lecturer presenting the course includes Laurent-Max De Cock, Associate Professor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.
For more information about our courses in the Middle East, please contact:
Ms. Chantal Abboud
Tel.: +961 (1) 33 48 79
E-mail: chantal.abboud@hrdantwerp.be - Trinny and Susannah shine in Antwerp
Trinny and Susannah shine in Antwerp 
On May 6th the two British style gurus, Trinny and Susannah came to Antwerp, Belgium to share their fashion knowledge with the Belgian public. In a token of appreciation, the two style gurus were each presented with a diamond offered by Nordic Fire (specialist in Canadian diamonds polished in Belgium) with an HRD Antwerp certificate. - HRD Antwerp at trade shows
HRD Antwerp at trade shows Shanghai 2009
HRD Antwerp participated at the Jewellery Shanghai trade show which opened on May 13 and ran through May 16. "This is the fourth time that HRD Antwerp participated in this show, and that alone underscores the tremendous potential we see in the Shanghai diamond market," said Georges Brys, general manager of HRD Antwerp. "Not only is the city the site of China's only diamond exchange, but Shanghai's jewellery retail sector represents about 20 percent of total jewellery sales in all of China."
HRD Antwerp introduced visitors to the stand its D-Scope DV4, a portable microscope designed for the jewellery market. D-Scope DV4 is a high quality stereo zoom microscope with gem manipulator and vacuum system. It is equipped with a sophisticated illumination system that consists of unique halogen dark field lighting and LED-top lights for quick examination possibilities.
At the booth demonstrations of the new Hearts & Arrows measuring system by HRD Antwerp were held. The company also presented its refined cut grade and exclusive security features included in its new HRD Antwerp certificate, such as line structures, watermark, embossed logo, fluo marks and micro text.
Amberif Fair (Poland)
HRD Antwerp participated in the Amberif fair in Gdansk, Poland (March 11-14, 2009). Mrs. Veerle Van Esbroek, a senior HRD Antwerp expert, held a lecture on the 'Evolution of Synthetic and Treated Diamonds', followed by an update on the refined HRD Antwerp cut grade and the new HRD Antwerp diamond certificate. A demonstration with D-scope microscope and D-screen - the diamond detection device developed by HRD Antwerp - was demonstrated at the HRD Antwerp booth.
Poland is a traditional amber market, but as consumers' purchasing power increases, the diamond jewellery market has initiated a cautious but steady grow since a few years.
HRD Antwerp has a cooperation agreement with the Polish Association of Jewellery Experts (SRJ) in the field of education, which has led to loupe courses, diamond grading courses and workshops in the past few years.