Why We Travel 4,000 Miles to Antwerp for Your Diamond

Buying jewelry is always emotional. It might be the first diamond pendant you pick out for your daughter, or the ring you've been carrying around in your head for months before you finally propose. Either way, it's more than a purchase. It's a piece of your story, and we take that seriously.

That's why, twice a year, we pack our bags and head to Antwerp, Belgium.

Why Antwerp?

Antwerp has been called the diamond capital of the world for centuries. Most of the world's diamonds pass through a few city blocks near the Antwerp Central Station, and many of them are cut, traded, and sold there. Going ourselves means we get to see stones in person, talk face to face with the cutters and dealers we've known for years, and hear where a diamond came from before it ever reaches our store in Bowling Green.

It also lets us shop with you in mind. If you've told us you're looking for a specific shape, size, or budget, we bring that list with us. We'd rather go the extra 4,000 miles than settle for "close enough."

Meet This Year's Antwerp Team

This year, Jim, Jenna, and Jenny are making the trip. Between the three of them, you get a lot of experience and some very good eyes, which matters when you spend a week looking at diamonds.

Hundreds of Diamonds, Sometimes Thousands

What a buying trip actually looks like surprises people. It isn't glamorous shopping. It's long days at a desk under bright lights, with a loupe in one hand and tweezers in the other, looking at parcel after parcel of diamonds.

We go through hundreds of stones, and sometimes thousands, to find the few that make the cut. Two diamonds can have the same grade on paper and look completely different in person. One might have a brilliance that makes you stop, and the other just sits there. Paperwork can't tell you that. You have to see it with your own eyes, and that's the whole reason we go.

When we find the one, we know it. It's a good feeling, and it's even better when we bring it home and see a customer feel it too.

A Little Something Extra in the Suitcase

We have to admit something: diamonds aren't the only thing we bring back. Our customers know we've come home with Belgian chocolates and a few bottles of Belgian beer, depending on who likes what. If you've ever told us you love dark chocolate or a good Belgian ale, there's a decent chance we remembered. After almost 150 years in business, we've learned that taking care of people goes beyond the jewelry case.

Have Something Specific in Mind? Tell Us Before We Go

If you're thinking about an engagement ring, an anniversary gift, or a special piece for someone you love, now is the time to let us know. Stop by the store or reach out, and we'll add your wish list to our Antwerp search. We'll do the sifting so you don't have to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Morris Jewelry buy diamonds in Antwerp?
Antwerp is one of the world's major diamond centers. Buying there in person lets us compare a huge selection side by side and hand-pick stones for our customers instead of choosing from a list.

How often does Morris Jewelry go to Antwerp?
We travel to Antwerp twice a year.

Can I request a specific diamond before the trip?
Yes. Share the shape, size, quality, and budget you have in mind, and we'll look for it while we're there.

Who is going on this year's trip?
Jim, Jenna, and Jenny.

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