EUOBSERVER / ANTWERP - Diamond trading, certification and polishing businesses in the Belgian city of Antwerp have reduced activities and temporarily laid off staff due to the economic crisis, as the industry is dependant on the cash-strapped banks to finance it. A handful of old men with typical black hats and long grey beards sit scattered across an immense hall, some playing chess, others simply chatting with each other. The impression is of a social centre or a retirement home. Only the bigger and more valuable diamonds are cut in Antwerp, the rest are processed in India and China In fact, it is the trading floor of one of the world's most prestigious diamond bourses, established in 1904 by the local Jewish community. Once an exclusive club of the black-clad orthodox Jews, the bourse now also serves vegan food along with traditional kosher menus to accommodate the growing Indian community in the trading business.
EUOBSERVER / ANTWERP - Diamond trading, certification and polishing businesses in the Belgian city of Antwerp have reduced activities and temporarily laid off staff due to the economic crisis, as the industry is dependant on the cash-strapped banks to finance it.
A handful of old men with typical black hats and long grey beards sit scattered across an immense hall, some playing chess, others simply chatting with each other. The impression is of a social centre or a retirement home.
Only the bigger and more valuable diamonds are cut in Antwerp, the rest are processed in India and China
In fact, it is the trading floor of one of the world's most prestigious diamond bourses, established in 1904 by the local Jewish community.
Once an exclusive club of the black-clad orthodox Jews, the bourse now also serves vegan food along with traditional kosher menus to accommodate the growing Indian community in the trading business.
