DocDiamond.com - The Diamond Museum in Antwerp

The Diamond Museum in Antwerp

Introduction

Antwerp has played an important role in the world's diamond industry for over 500 years. This is still the case today, for 80% of the world's rough (gem-grade) diamonds and over 50% of the world's cut diamonds are traded there.

In May 2009, the creators of DocDiamond.com visited the Diamond Museum in Antwerp, Belgium (Diamantmuseum Provincie Antwerpen). This museum is the largest entirely diamond-dedicated museum in the world!

On this page, you will find a summary of what we saw, along with some practical information about the museum to help you plan your visit.

What is in the Museum?

Interior view of the Diamond Museum in Antwerp. Binnenzicht Diamantmuseum - tentoonstellingsruimte (copyright Diamantmuseum/Mimesis).

The main part of the museum

The diamond museum consists of several rooms spread over three floors. Overall, it has a modern interior design.

The museum provides detailed information on all aspects of diamond. Its varied approach means that you are almost certainly going to find information that is of interest to you, whether you are a jeweller, jewellery lover, scientist, geologist, historian, etc.

One of the first rooms that you will walk through houses beautifully lit up life-size (non-diamond) replicas of the world's most famous diamonds. Examples include the Hope Diamond and the Jubilee Diamond.

For those interested in science, there are displays showing how natural diamonds form and how diamond's extreme properties are related to its structure. Ball-and-stick models of diamond and graphite show how the two materials differ, despite them both being made up of only carbon atoms. For those keen to get really involved, there are interactive thermal and electrical conductivity tests that can be performed and there are microscopes focussed on actual diamonds, allowing guests to observe diamond crystal growth lines and clarity. Diamond's hardness in relation to those of other materials on the Mohs hardness scale is illustrated effectively.

Chaumet diamond tiara and hair clips dating from circa 1899. Kroontje met vleugeltjes en twee spelden, ca. 1899, Frans, vervaardigd door Chaumet (copyright Diamantmuseum/White Light).

Visitors wishing to see real diamonds will not be disappointed. There are several long corridors lined with cabinets displaying breathtaking diamond-encrusted jewellery dating backing as early as the 16^th century. The carefully planned lighting used for these displays ensures that the jewels are seen at their absolute best.

Both historical and modern equipment and tools for transforming rough diamonds into sparkling gems are shown and described. There's even a complete antique (from circa 1900) cutting and polishing workshop on display. There are enlarged models showing the various shapes that diamonds can be cut into. On weekdays, visitors will be able to watch a diamond cutter at work.

The history of the world's diamond industry and Antwerp's involvement in it is explained, along with details of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier's diamond-related adventures in the East Indies in the 17^th century.

Besides the permanent displays, the museum houses frequently changing temporary exhibitions. Check the official website for up-to-date news regarding these.

Children's games

Photo of the “almost real” diamond that you can win by playing the computer game.

Photo of the “almost real” diamond that you can win by playing the diamond robbery computer game.

Apart from playing with the interactive diplays, children can play the games that are on offer at the museum. For example, there is a diamond robbery computer game (named De Grote Diamantroof) that is suitable for children over the age of about 9. Successful players will receive an “almost real” diamond to take home! See the photo displayed on the right. Children can also win an “almost real” diamond by successfully completing a diamond trail game (called Vliegspeurtocht) that will lead them around the entire museum.

Library

There is a library on the third floor of the museum. Entrance is free of charge but you need to make an appointment in advance. This can be done via their website. Although it is not possible to borrow any material from the library, there are photocopying facilities available. Please note that making copies is not free of charge.

Museum shop

The museum shop is located near the ticket desk, which is in the lobby of the museum. Purchases can therefore be made before or after you look around the museum. The shop stocks many different diamond-related items, including informative books, children's comics, posters, DVDs, and genuine diamonds. It is worth noting that books (and possibly other items from their shop) can also be ordered by emailing the museum.

Practical Information

Old photograph showing two men sorting diamonds. Diamantbewerking: sorteren van diamant (copyright Diamantmuseum/Mimesis).

Opening times

The museum is open every day (except Wednesdays) between 10 am and 5:30 pm. Last entry is 5 pm. We estimate that the duration of most people's visits is between one and two hours.

The museum is closed on Wednesdays, unless it is a national holiday. The museum is also closed on the 25^th and 26^th of December and during the entire month of January.

Diamond cutting demonstrations can be seen on weekdays only.

How much does it cost?

Standard adult tickets

The standard adult ticket price is €6 per person.

Discounted tickets

A discounted ticket price of €4 per person applies for:

those in a group of 15 or more paying individuals (you will need to make a reservation at least one month in advance)
youths aged between 12 and 25 (inclusive)

Free entry

Children that are under 12 years of age can enter the museum free of charge.

Combination tickets

You may be able to buy special combination tickets allowing discounted access to this museum and the Krochmal & Lieber diamond cutting worksop, Antwerp Zoo, or the aquarium Aquatopia.

For a more detailed list describing who qualifies for discounted tickets and free entry, please visit the tariff section on the museum's official website. This information has not been included here because many of the conditions may only apply to residents of Belgium who have special passes.

Audio guides

All guests are provided free use of a telephone-style audio guide (with narration in English, Dutch, French, German, or Spanish). The guide works as follows. Every display in the museum is clearly numbered. Visitors can choose to hear about a particular display by dialling its number using the guide. For some displays, it is possible to dial for more in-depth versions of the commentary. This guide system allows visitors to home in on the displays that particularly interest them. It also allows visitors to browse the museum at their own tempo.

Bags and cameras

You are not permitted to take bags or cameras with you around the museum. These need to be stored in the small lockers that are provided. You will need a €1 coin to operate each locker. This will be refunded when you retrieve your belongings.

If you have more substantial luggage with you, consider using the coin-operated luggage lockers in Antwerp Central station, which is just a minute's walk away.

Disabled guests

Thanks to a spacious lift and a special wheelchair lift, guests in wheelchairs will be able to visit all three floors of the museum. Note that there is a wheelchair-friendly WC.

For blind and partially sighted visitors, there are slightly raised “feelable” lines that enable independent navigation throughout the entire museum. Modified audio guides help the users find the displays and models, many of which can be experienced through touch.

Address and other contact details

View Larger Map

Address: Koningin Astridplein 19-23, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium
Telephone and fax numbers: Tel.: +32 (0)3 202 48 90; Fax: +32 (0)3 202 48 98
Email address
Museum's official website: http://www.diamantmuseum.be/

Public transport

The museum is located in the heart of Antwerp, about 100 metres from Antwerp Central (Antwerpen-Centraal) railway station. It is therefore easily accessible by train.

The city's extensive bus and tram network also serve the museum well. The following bus line numbers can be used: 1, 16, 17, 18, 23, 27, 28, 31, 35, 37, and all regional buses (get out at Franklin Rooseveltplaats or Centraal Station). The following tram line numbers can be used: 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 24 (get out at Diamant or Astrid).

Driving directions and parking facilities

For those wishing to drive to the museum, we suggest that you use an online route planner such as Google Maps. Google Maps directions to the museum can be obtained by first clicking the “To here” link on the map speech bubble shown here and then entering your start address.

The following are the names and locations of various nearby car parks:

Nova: Van Schoonhovenstraat 25
Breidel: Breidelstraat 15
De Keyser: Van Ertbornstraat 13
Empire: Appelmansstraat 25
Roosevelt: Franklin Rooseveltplaats
Firoel (not covered): Carnotstraat/Turnhoutsebaan

There is a designated area on the corner of the Koningin Astridplein/Carnotstraat where coaches can stop for a maximum of 10 minutes to allow passengers to get on/off.

Please Note

The information provided above is believed to be correct at the time of writing (May 2009). If you are concerned that anything may have changed since then, please visit the museum's official website.