Antwerp
ant·werp | ˈant-ˌwərp
noun
Perhaps the most noteworthy and versatile diamond-cutting center in the world
Antwerp is one of the great cities of Belgium, sitting along the Scheldt River in the Antwerp Region, and the second largest metropolitan area in the country. Located in the northern end of the country, more than half a million people live in antwerp, which is renowned for its historical and artistic contributions, particularly in the diamond trade. Despite the rapid expansion of diamond cutting options in the 20th century, Antwerp remains one of the premiere hubs in the world for diamond cutting. Almost all sizes of stones are cut in Antwerp, from a single carat stone to some of the most exquisite diamonds the world has ever seen. While many of the companies that operate in Antwerp have invested in diamond cutting operations around the world, often closer to the source of their diamonds, there are several challenges that have arisen, including excessive shipping and distribution costs, local issues labor and government entities.