Diamond Museums

"The Mouawad Legacy Collection is far more than a superb assemblage of unique jewellery pieces.

It is a testimony to a dynasty of jewellers who have passionately pursued their destiny - unlocking and enchancing the splendor of Earth's most evocative and enduring mysteries: precious stone.

The collection expresses aesthetic embellishment through man's talent: the freeing of precious stones from their rough exteriors to reveal their brilliance and magnificence..." more

"Over the years the Mouawad family has acquired a collection of diamonds that is arguably the world's finest in private hands.

Twelve of the largest diamonds in existence take their place among the stunning gems in this museum-quality collection. The brilliance of each and every stone fires our passion and inspires us to create some of the world's finest jewelry."

Jewellery manufacturing in Brugge over 7 centuries

"Already in 1370, rough diamonds were sold in Brugge, long before Antwerp or Amsterdam.

In the 15th century, diamond polishing with diamond dust on a rotating disk was invented in Brugge by local goldsmith Lodewijk van Berquem. The court of the Dukes of Burgundy made the luxury industry in Brugge - included jewellery manufacturing - flourish.

First Diamond engagement ring in history
The first diamond engagement ring in history was given from Emperor Maximilian I to Mary of Burgundy, duchess of Burgundy, at the occasion of their marriage. The dukes of Burgundy had their court in the centre of Brugge."

The Diamantmuseum Brugge

"The newest of only 5 diamond museums in the world, was recently opened in Bruges, the capital of West-Flanders, Belgium. Bruges is the city where the art of diamond polishing was invented in the 15th century by local goldsmith Lodewijk van Berquem. Diamantmuseum Brugge offers a unique view into the diamond world, normally inaccessible to the public. "A precious pearl in the Bruges' crown", the press wrote about the museum."

The Amsterdam diamond cutter Moses Elias Coster moved into factory premises at Waterlooplein in 1840, and Coster Diamonds was born. During that time, diamonds were still cut by machines literally powered by horses. Thanks to Moses' pioneering spirit, Coster Diamonds was the first diamond cutting factory in the Netherlands to introduce steam as the source of power.

In addition to being ahead of his time, Coster was also an incredible perfectionist. Only the very best was good enough, and it soon rained orders from Dutch and foreign customers. One of these represented an invitation by Queen Victoria to re-cut the Koh-i-Noor. This immense challenge established Coster as a master diamond cutter.


As soon as you enter our stately premises in Amsterdam South, you enter a different world: the world of diamonds. During the free guided tour, the process of cutting and polishing diamonds will be explained in detail, from rough diamond to enthralling end product. In addition, we shall be pleased to show you our exclusive collection of loose and set diamonds in various price ranges.

Diamond Museum Amsterdam

"The Diamond Museum Amsterdam takes you on a journey that began 3 billion years ago, 200 kilometres under the surface of the earth, and which ends in the ring on your finger or in the pendant around your neck. A fascinating story that should not be missed.

Along the way you will penetrate as far as the carbon atom, meet the specialists who transform a rough stone into a sparkling jewel, be surroundes by many famous glittering diamonds and see the smallest brilliant diamond in the world with a microscope.

You can learn about Amsterdam - City of Diamonds, centre of diamond processing and trade for more than four centuries, distinguish between a real and an imitation diamond for yourself an finally, enter the largest diamond in which stars from around the world encircle you." ... more

SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMOND TOUR

"Discover the wonderful world of diamonds on a personalised Shimansky Diamond Tour at the Clock Tower, Waterfront and witness first hand how rough diamonds are transformed into creations of fire and light before they are set into breathtaking beautiful gold and platinum masterpieces in the Jewellery Manufacturing Factory. Enloy a glass of South African wine or freshly brewed coffee as you wander through the Diamond Museum, the only of it's kind in Cape Town."

DIAMOND MUSEUM

South Africa is regarded as one of the world's top producers of gold, platinum and diamonds. The rich history of the country is dominated by tales of the Transvaal Gold Rush and the Kimberley Diamond Rush.

Travel back to the early days of diamonds in South Africa.
The Shimansky Diamond Museum is the only one of its kind in Cape Town, and offers you an original educational experience. Learn about the key players, past and present, who are responsible for South Africa being one of the world's top diamond producing countries. Track the changes in mining techniques and technology along the museum's timeline.

You can also marvel at the life-size replicas of the famous diamonds that have been mined in South Africa that have adorned royalty, the rich and the famous. These include the The Hope Diamond, The Taylor Burton Diamond, The Star of Africa Diamond and the 530.20 carat Cullinan Diamond." .... more

"Amsterdam Sauer Museum of Rare Minerals and Precious Stones, located Ipanema, in Rio de Janeiro, is the most complete private gemstone museum in South America.

The collection is the result of almost seventy years of dedication of Jules Roger Sauer and includes more than three thousand rough and cut gemstones, such as emeralds, rubellites, aquamarines, tourmalines, and imperial topazes. Some of the stones were already featured on the Guinness Book of Records.

The Museum, founded in 1989, is the only one to exhibit replicas of mines of emerald, aquamarine and tourmaline mines, the most representative Brazilian colored stones.

Internationally awarded jewelry is also in exhibition, as well as giant rough crystals

Visit the Amsterdam Sauer Museum of Rare Minerals and Precious Stones is an unique experience to the visitors in Rio de Janeiro." ... more

"Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond-producing site in the world where the public can search for diamonds. And the policy here is "finder's keepers." The diamonds you find are yours to keep.

Visitors search atop a 37 1/2-acre plowed field, the eroded surface of an ancient, gem-bearing volcanic pipe. Prospectors enter the field through the Diamond Discovery Center that offers exhibits and an A/V program explaining the three most popular methods of searching for diamonds. The park staff provides free identification and certification of diamonds." ... more

"Herkimer Diamonds are beautiful double-terminated quartz crystals which are found mainly in Herkimer County, New York. Incredibly, these phenomenal gemstones are believed to be close to five hundred million years old. The crystals are magnificent works of nature found in the rock, appearing to have been precision cut by man and having a diamond-like geometrical shape; thus, the name "Herkimer Diamonds"

Many collectors believe the Herkimer Diamond should rival a true diamond. Their reasoning for this is a true diamond found in the “rough” is exactly that, a rough appearing glass-like stone. The diamond must be painstakingly cut by man to give it smooth faces and a geometrical shape.

In fact, Herkimer Diamonds are not diamonds. A true diamond is one of the hardest elements known to man, scoring a ten on a one to ten hardness scale. Herkimer Diamonds are harder than all quartz crystals. They fall at about 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, giving the real diamond a close race. For comparative purposes, many man-made steels barely score a seven on the hardness scale.

The majority of the Herkimer Diamonds have eighteen faces. Six triangular faces form the termination points on each end of the crystal. These are separated by a group of six square or rectangular faces. This conglomeration often results in a diamond shape. Variance in the plane of a face surface on a Herkimer Diamond has been measured at less than two thousandths of an inch. Even with today’s technology, man has a tough time duplicating the precision nature has performed on the Herkimer Diamond." ... more