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Press Release: The "Rough Diamond Days" event that took place this week in the Antwerpsche Diamantkring was once again strongly attended. Some 65 exhibitors traded a significant number of rough diamonds with national and international diamond dealers. This unique trading event has restored the "buzz" of bygone days. The positive annual trade figures that were released early this month, demonstrated that Antwerp remains the most important trading center for diamonds. In 2014, $58.8 billion worth of diamonds were imported to and exported from Antwerp. Given that 84 percent of all rough diamonds and 50 percent of all polished diamonds pass through Antwerp, the city continues to be the ideal place to purchase rough and polished diamonds at the best price/quality ratio. Still, these are difficult times in the international diamond trade. The price of rough diamonds is extremely high, while the price for polished diamonds has not followed rough, forcing many dealers to have to sell at no profit or even at a loss. After witnessing the extremely strong turnout at the first "Rough Diamond Days" at the end of last year, the Kring has now organized a second trade event focusing exclusively on rough diamonds. Organizer and chairman of the Antwerpsche Diamantkring Freddy Inzlicht said, “A wide range of rough diamonds was on offer during this two-day trading event, so everyone could find what he was looking for. But above all, the personal contacts boosted the confidence level, which is something that many dealers can use in these difficult times.” The Antwerpsche Diamantkring is the only trade fair in the world that specialized in rough diamonds. Most trade fairs and events focus on a combination of polished and rough diamonds. Organizing the "Rough Diamond Days" in the wake of the so-called sight week enables contacts to be easily made with rough diamond dealers. Major mining manufacturers organized sight days to present their offering of rough diamonds. The exhibitors were very pleased with how the fair went. It welcomed in excess of 2,500 potential buyers over the two days. In addition to the many Belgian diamond traders, a large number of foreign delegations from India, the United States and Israel were also on hand. AWDC, Antwerp World Diamond Centre, is an industry-established foundation, whose mission is to serve and support the diamond business in Antwerp, the world's most important diamond trade hub. AWDC is the coordinating body and the official representative of the Antwerp diamond sector, and as such is recognized internationally as the host, spokesperson and intermediary for the Belgian diamond community. In this capacity, AWDC liaises on behalf of the Belgian diamond sector with governments and actively promotes support for the diamond sector at home and abroad. Eighty-four percent of all rough diamonds and 50 percent of all polished diamonds pass through Antwerp. Diamonds represent 5 percent of the total Belgian exports and 15 percent of all Belgian exports outside the EU, making diamonds the most important export product outside the EU.
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