Diamond Shopping in Amsterdam?

[ilovethiswebsite]

Hi Everyone,

I am going on vacation to Amsterdam and Bruges in Belgium in a few weeks. I was wondering if diamond shopping is any good there and if anyone has any tips or advice? I know Amsterdam is one of the best diamond cutting hubs in the world but I am not sure if prices are actually any better there or not?

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/26/2010 2:28:09 PM
Author:ilovethiswebsite
Hi Everyone,

I am going on vacation to Amsterdam and Bruges in Belgium in a few weeks. I was wondering if diamond shopping is any good there and if anyone has any tips or advice? I know Amsterdam is one of the best diamond cutting hubs in the world but I am not sure if prices are actually any better there or not?

Thanks!

In Belgium contact Rob Van Beurden at www.diamondhouse.be Rob is a great contact and source for diamonds if you want to buy. Also you could contact Paul Slegers at www.craftedbyinfinity.com

Infinity are a specialized cutting operation with their own branded diamonds rather than an actual store as you are probably aware, but you could contact Paul, he is a great guy and might have some tips for you.

 

[y2kitty]

Don''t know about shopping but you can take free tours of the cutting facility and that is fun.

 

[movie zombie]

no suggestions re diamonds in amsterdam but have a drink here:

http://www.cafe-belgique.nl/html/About%20Belgique.html

this is not a coffee house and one doesn''t hear a lot english.

walking distance from the diamond district.

mz

 

[ilovethiswebsite]

yeah thanks for the suggestions everyone! we are really excited!!!

 

[ilovethiswebsite]

Date: 4/27/2010 12:17:16 PM
Author: movie zombie
no suggestions re diamonds in amsterdam but have a drink here:


http://www.cafe-belgique.nl/html/About%20Belgique.html


this is not a coffee house and one doesn't hear a lot english.


walking distance from the diamond district.

mz

looks awesome! we will definitely check it out! i love the 360 degree view of the toilet on their website hahaha

 

[movie zombie]

oh, i didn''t poke around the website enough! i didn''t mention it as i wanted it to be a surprise! its worth a trip there just to make the visit upstairs! its an adventure coming back down......

i found it by accident my first trip to amsterdam and each trip back, i make sure to stop in each afternoon i''m in town.

make sure to go to the van gough museum. seriously. his japanese period is amazing.

there are a lot of interesting ethnic places to eat in amsterdam also.......geez, its been too long since i''ve been!

mz

 

[ilovethiswebsite]

Date: 4/27/2010 6:50:25 PM
Author: movie zombie
oh, i didn't poke around the website enough! i didn't mention it as i wanted it to be a surprise! its worth a trip there just to make the visit upstairs! its an adventure coming back down......


i found it by accident my first trip to amsterdam and each trip back, i make sure to stop in each afternoon i'm in town.


make sure to go to the van gough museum. seriously. his japanese period is amazing.


there are a lot of interesting ethnic places to eat in amsterdam also.......geez, its been too long since i've been!


mz

Yeah, I am so excited! I will definitely go see the museum and bar. I looked up the bar you recommended and it's only 2 blocks from our hotel!!!

 

[movie zombie]

where are you staying? we stay closer to the museums.

the transportation system is great.

if you haven''t checked it out yet, look at this website: holland.com

i love dutch cheese....and chocolate!

in the mood for some real assyrian food? give this one a try:

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/netherlands/amsterdam/review-431674.html

mostly locals come here, very very few tourists. not high end and not decorated but yummy food.

mz

ps we''ve done both the night and day canal tours. they both have their advantages but i prefer the night excursion.....however, it can get cold out on the water.

 

[ilovethiswebsite]

We are staying at the Convent hotel http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1159-the-convent-hotel-amsterdam/index.shtml

Thanks for all the tips MZ! I really appreciate it!!!

 

[noelwr]

hi, don't know if you left already, but I live in Holland and even though cutting happens here and in Belgium, I never had the feeling that diamonds would be at all cheaper here (especially with our ridiculous tax rates). if I were to buy diamonds, I'd get them in South Africa.

our fanciest jeweller is called Schaap & Citroen, in case you ever see it. you have to ring the doorbell to get in, but it might be worth a look.
http://www.schaapcitroen.nl/

I recommend taking a canal boat tour and eating poffertjes (the teeny tiny pancakes with butter and powdered sugar).