The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) conducted a public awareness initiative on March 10, 2026 at Antwerpen-Centraal railway station, warning consumers about potential deception when purchasing diamond jewellery.
The event aimed to highlight the risks faced by buyers due to limited knowledge about the difference between natural and synthetic diamonds. According to AWDC, consumers may be vulnerable to malpractice when this distinction is not clearly communicated by retailers.
During the initiative, passers-by were offered free scanning of their diamond jewellery to determine whether the stones were natural or synthetic. Diamond experts explained the results on site, and participants received a statement confirming the scan findings.
Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of AWDC, said the visual similarity between natural and synthetic diamonds often causes confusion among consumers.
“Natural and synthetic diamonds look identical to the naked eye, but they differ greatly in value. A natural diamond worth $ 8,900 will have a synthetic alternative worth about $ 100. Anyone who does not know the difference therefore risks buying a jewel with synthetic diamonds while paying the price of a natural diamond jewel,” she said.
AWDC stated that consumer awareness is critical when purchasing diamond jewellery. Buyers are advised to request a diamond certificate specifying whether a stone is natural or synthetic and detailing the diamond’s characteristics.
In Belgium, jewellers have been legally required since 1 May 2023 to provide customers with a document specifying key diamond characteristics, including the stone’s weight and whether it is natural or synthetic.
Rentmeesters noted that compliance with this requirement remains inconsistent. “But in practice we see that this obligation is often not respected. As a result, consumers remain vulnerable and their lack of knowledge can be exploited,” she said.
Belgium’s Minister of Employment and Economy David Clarinval also addressed the issue, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the diamond sector.
“Whether it concerns products or services, as Minister of Economy I stand for transparency and fair competition. Anyone buying a diamond must know exactly what they are purchasing,” he said.
Clarinval said the Belgian government introduced a Royal Decree in 2023 requiring sellers to provide a standard document with every diamond purchase outlining key characteristics and clearly stating whether the stone is natural or synthetic.
The minister is also examining whether the term “diamond” should be reserved exclusively for natural diamonds, with synthetic stones marketed only under the label “synthetic”.
AWDC further called for the existing information requirement to be extended to online jewellery sales and advertising to improve consumer protection.
During the event, visitors were also offered the option to obtain a full jewellery certificate from HRD Antwerp at a discounted rate of €25.