Amsterdam - City of Diamonds
Everyone knows that Amsterdam is a glittering city, but did you know that it is also known as the “City of Diamonds”? For more than four hundred years, Amsterdam has been a diamond cutting and trade centre. At Gassan Diamonds, visitors are treated to a free tour of the diamond cutting and polishing process.
World-famous diamond cutter
Amsterdam has had a brilliant diamond trade which can be traced back more than 400 years, to 1586. It is not the largest diamond centre in the world, but it is renowned as one of the best. Many world-famous diamonds have been processed in Amsterdam, including the Cullinan diamond – the largest rough diamond ever found - and the Koh-I-Nohr. The smallest diamond of the world was also cut in Amsterdam – a job that took over 3 months as its width was little more than a splinter!
Innovative diamond cutter
A traditional brilliant cut diamond has 58 facets, but Amsterdam can also boast innovation in the diamond industry. Gassan Diamonds developed a special cut in 2005 known as the Gassan 121. With 121 facets, the contrast between the light and dark parts of the diamond is dazzling. Of course, this cut is more labour-intensive meaning that Gassan 121 diamonds are quite exclusive - each comes with its own certificate and a laser inscription to verify authenticity.
Gassan Diamond Tour
If you would like to find out all about carats, colours, clarity and cuts, and learn some of the history of the Amsterdam diamond craft at the same time, join one of the free guided tours held seven days a week at Gassan Diamonds. Located in a historic, formerly steam-driven diamond factory, you can watch diamond cutters at work while a guide tells you all about diamond processing. Watch the process in all its facets as talented craftsmen turn rough diamonds into dazzling, exquisitely polished stones.
Buy diamonds
Why not take home a sparkling souvenir from Amsterdam? Gassan Diamonds has its own jewellery store, with one of the most extensive, exclusive and beautiful collections in Amsterdam. Buy someone special – or even yourself - something from the dazzling Gassan Diamonds selection, and have your purchase mounted while you wait. Of course, Gassan Diamonds also sell the world-famous brilliant cut, also known as the ‘Amsterdam Cut’, in addition to the Gassan 121.
After all, why should diamonds only be a girl’s best friend?
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