HRD Antwerp is preparing to host a ‘diamond road show’ in Beijing on January 17, in joint effort with Caibai, China’s No. 1 jewellery plaza. The purpose of the road show is to promote the famous ECC Diamond Trophy, also called the ECC Racket of the Antwerp Diamonds Cup and elucidate the brilliance of diamonds in general, as expressed through the masterpiece. The road show will run through 19 cities apart from Beijing, till end of 2009.

The trophy in reference is set with 1,600 top-quality Antwerp-cut brilliants, weighing 150 carats in 13,23 pounds of fine gold. The enamoring piece was offered to the Antwerp Diamonds Cup tennis champion since 1985 and is valued at EUR 1 million ($1.34 million).

The pick of promoting the trophy and probably indirectly promoting generic diamonds in China follows a 10-year relation between HRD Antwerp and China. “China’s consumer base is growing, and along with it, the market for luxury goods. It is clear that for diamonds, now and in the years to come, China is the place to be”, explains Georges Brys, General Manger of HRD Antwerp.

Throughout the past decade, HRD Antwerp has been training many people in China’s diamond industry, many of whom now hold top positions in the sector. In November 2007, HRD Antwerp expanded its operations with the opening of a representative office in Shanghai. Since then, diamond certificates, gemological grading and educational services have been provided extensively to the Chinese market.