GIA HPHT Diamonds Antwerp

[Paul-Antwerp]

Hi Paul, thank you for your reply. I am not sure how to reply to your request. I do believe that people should not be tricked into buying diamonds. But at the same time, this is probably how 90% of the diamond stores in Antwerp make their money. By cunning uneducated tourists, as well as locals into buying HPHT/ badly cut or bad certification diamonds. I now know from first hand experience. That is why I am very happy that I took the time to learn more about diamonds and educate myself. What I am trying to say is that whatever I would do to report this specific jeweller, it would be a drop in the ocean and something has to be done about this from a way larger scale. I know this answer might be very unsatisfactory but at the same time, I do not have much to stand on either since in this case it basically would be word against word. I do admire your willingness to fight these diamond shops! And to be completely fair, even though your motivation is probably more than anything from a moral standpoint, the customers these diamond shops attract will most likely not be your customers.
On a whole different note, and this is probably not the best place to ask for this but would I be able to make an appointment directly with you to have a look at a CBI diamond or would I have to do this through your official CBI dealer Fortrez in Antwerp? Thank you very much in advance!

Longlong,

I understand you not wishing to pursue this further, but I do wish to correct one aspect.

When I chose the nickname Paul-Antwerp, almost fifteen years ago, it is also because I am proud of my city. In that sense, a generalisation like yours that probably how 90% of the stores make their money by cunning uneducated tourists, hurts me directly.

As much as one individual tried to lure you into an incorrectly represented diamond, that does not suffice for such incorrect generalisation. The fact that I reacted with the suggestion to pursue this, is in no way connected with me possibly making a sale, it is because such a story is so unusual, that I think this should be pursued, definitely if the experience of your friends would show that it is a pattern with this one individual retailer.

Live long,

 

[Sunstorm]

Like I said before, I totally agree. I love Antwerp, I truly do, I find it a mesmerizing city and although I buy wholesale and that may be completely different, well, not everyone is honest there either. I definitely feel that there is a need for making a precedence and something should be done. I have no idea how common a practice this is in the retail stores in Antwerp but can you imagine how many people have been ripped off without even knowing? Sure we can say buyer beware but I do not feel this would be fair, consumer education is very important but we need to be among those that educate consumers and not those that try to rip them off. Each example like this story reflects badly on the trade and this is why I so often hear stories from people how they have had the worst experience buying diamonds and aífter they have been burnt they would never buy diamonds again. My father is one such example who has always been against my working with diamonds, he was the victim of rough diamonds offered for investment. We can say that people should not get involved in something they know close to nothing about but even if we cannot change the world, or not right away at least, trying to make a difference on a small scale may eventually help and yes EGL is a good example of that.