Do you know why the weight of the stones is measured in carats? It all started with medieval markets and… carob seeds. They have a very special property – they are of the same size and weight so they were used to weight very small gemstones.
Raw diamond
Raw diamond is nothing special. It looks just like… a regular stone. It is only when it falls into the diamond lapidary’s hands that its shining beauty is brought out. You must know that the history of Amsterdam as one of the most important centers of diamond production dates back to the 17th century. Then Sephardic Jews arrived in Amsterdam (that is exiles from the Iberian Peninsula). Their profession was simply called “fet” (het vak). They had commercial contacts in diamond mining countries.
Initially, diamonds were cut in houses and attics. With the development of technology the production grew. The grinding wheels were turned with the use of their own feet (as it is done with the potter’s wheel).Subsequently, the lapidary workshops were powered by horses, and by 1850 steam power…
You will find more information on Wikipedia or in a nice album, of course. I would not have been a Magpie if I did not smuggle you some history and trivia.I am taking you on a tour of the diamond city of Amsterdam. And as you may think, we will follow the trail of trinkets and accessories. You will discover today 6 jewelry places in Amsterdam, which every Magpie should visit.
Sightseeing, sightseeing, sightseeing!
The holiday sun rays pierced the craggy tenements and illuminated our Slavic faces. We rode happily on rickety Dutch bikes, swirling between tourists and canals.
Behind our back, one thousand bicycles attached to the railings. We stop to park our bikes and explore the top spot on our sparkling map. We buy tickets in a shop with Dutch trinkets (around… wooden clogs, tulips, windmills) and like on wings we run up the stairs leading to the museum…
We start by seeing a movie that depicts the whole diamond history. Then we look at replicas of the most famous diamonds in the world. One of them is Tiffany Yellow. Did you know that this is one of the largest yellow diamonds ever found. It was excavated at the end of the 19th century in the Tiffany mine. Surely you have seen it, dear Magpie, on Audrey Hepburn’s neck on a poster promoting “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.
There is also the smallest diamond in the world (not visible to the naked eye) and the largest – the Golden Jubilee, which weighs 545 carats. Impressive, right?But we have to be cautious.In the jewelry market imitations of diamonds are also available. Thanks to an interactive exhibition I learned how to tell diamond from a fake in the form of zirconia, crystal or glass. Remember, that zirconia doesn’t have as high light refractive index as diamond. When compared to diamond they always look poorly.
The famous royal crowns and head pieces from all over the world are impressive. But it’s not all. The museum collection includes the traditional Japanese sword katana used by samurai with a handle encrusted with diamonds. Many female tourists take photos with exhibition of male celebrities wearing diamond jewelry. You can suspect that David Beckham looks gorgeous.
We finish with looking at… Monkey Skull encrusted with 17.000 diamonds. It stands in the center of the room illuminated with mirrors and fragments of romantic films with diamond theme. When you are standing there you feel like someone was turning over your head a large sparkling diamond in the moonlight…
address:Paulus Potterstraat 8, Amsterdam
opening hours:everyday 9-5
We are heading for Coster Diamond, the oldest diamond factory in Amsterdam, which was founded in 1840.This exclusive four-building complex is connected to the Diamond Museum. Every year there are about 340,000 visitors to see the artisans at work, who in front of you cut the diamonds and set them in beautiful rings.
Visiting a lapidary workshop is not only a free presentation of diamond processing, but also the opportunity to touch, try and buy ready-made jewels and jewelry.We go to the presentation to the next room, the stairs covered with a thick soft carpet. The door behind us slam (like in a safe) and a short lecture begins. On the examples of different diamonds we learn that in diamond evaluation the most important are the mass, the color, the clarity and the type of cut…
The enchanting atmosphere of an exclusive complex, tales of the most beautiful stones – it all diverts attention from a well-thought-out marketing approach. Not without reason there are over 150 consultants who offer diamond advice in more than 27 languages.Well. Right after a nice dose of knowledge, still in a closed room, you are looking at (and of course can buy) exclusive jewelry.
The route to the exit leads through the shop where you can see luxurious jewelry from Chopard, Boucheron or Piaget. I’ll tell you that it’s that moment when every Magpie dreams of having unlimited funds on a credit card.
address:Paulus Potterstraat 2-6 , Amsterdam
opening hours:everyday 9-5
3. GASSAN DIAMONDS
We’re now moving to another historical lapidary workshop. Gassan Diamonds is a traditional family company located in a beautifully renovated mill in the center of Amsterdam. We are too happy because this time it is not a group tour. A super-nice Spanish lady Marie-Charlotte Wansleeben took care of us, who once learned we write about the trinkets, offered us an individual tour and a lecture.
We enter and instead of a ticket we get a colorful diamond shaped sticker. We look at a historic exhibition (old machines, the history of the company) and lapidary at work. Marie devoted an hour to show us the whole building. At last we go to a secluded room…
Marie pulls out the packed diamonds from the safe (each tucked away in a separate envelope and certified). I am excited that I can see the diamonds, holding them in a specialized tweezers. Marie taught us how to evaluate a diamond in terms of quality and she advised on how to avoid being fooled when buying. Remember that every diamond on a black background looks like white and its color cannot be objectively evaluated (all appear to be crystal white). Therefore, when buying diamonds always look at them on a white background.
The tour ended with the coffee and diamond chocolates that Marie had served us. Leaving the building, we got stuck to an exclusive jewelry case. Oh… after trying it on it’s hard to part with them…
address:Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 173 – 175 ,Amsterdam
opening hours:everyday 9-5
In the next part I will tell you about two contemporary jewelry galleries and Museum of Glasses…
