Diamonds In Amsterdam
Amsterdam takes a special place in the world of Diamonds.
Walking down the streets you will see a lot of Diamond and
jewelry stores as well as a lot of places that are locked up
with signs saying "guided diamond tours from 2 to 4 PM".
Actually going on some of these tours you'll have a chance to
see some fantastic diamonds and you'll have a chance as well to
see how they are cut and polished. And if you want to, you can
buy them for $4000 to $400,000 each.
These are some of the companies offering guided tours:
Amsterdam diamonds
Amsterdam has a long heritage in the diamonds, and has been a
major diamond centre since Sephardic Jews introduced the diamond
cutting industry in the later 16th century. Nowadays there are
about a dozen diamond factories in the city, five of which offer
guided tours. The tours are free and are usually conducted 9am
to 5pm every day. Diamonds aren't necessarily cheaper in
Amsterdam but prices are fairly competitive. At least you will
have seen how they are worked, and when you buy from a factory
you get an extensive description of the purchase so you know
exactly what you are buying.
Diamond tours
The following renowned diamond stores offer diamond-cutting and
polishing tours, and sales of the finished diamonds:
Coster Diamonds Gassan Diamonds Stoeltie Diamonds Van Moppes
Diamonds the first company to offer guided tours.
If you have a chance eat an "uitsmijter" as well.
Best time to visit is april or late september when the leaves on
the trees are not blocking the view of the monumental facades.
The winters are penetratingly cold and damp with lots of rain
and sleet.
It actually feels colder than 30 below in Canada.
Bring a pair of good glasses: we tend to use very small letter
types for the legends in museums.
Here are some of Amsterdam's major attractions:
Anne Frank House (Anne Frank Huis) National Museum (Rijksmuseum)
Van Gogh Museum Red Light District National Museum of Modern Art
(Stedelijk Museum) Amstelkring Museum (Our Lord in the Attic
Chapel) Museum Het Rembrandt Huis (Rembrandt House) Jewish
Historical Museum (Joods Historisch Museum) Dam Square Sauna Deco
Amsterdam sail: Sail Amsterdam
If you love boats, KNSM Island is where you should go. Not just
because of its shipping past. Every 5 years this harbor area of
Amsterdam hosts the Sail event. Each new edition attracts more
visitors (Sail 2000 welcomed 2.5 million people). Each edition
also offers more Tall Ships and more cultural activities in the
area.
The Van Gogh Museum contains the largest collection of works by
Vincent Van Gogh who shot off his ear and then committed
suicide. You will find more than 200 fantastic works from the
Master's hand, as well as 500 drawings and 700 written
documents. Together these provide a fantastic insight into his
life and work.
Amsterdam is a fascinating place with lots of things to see and
do.
Also, remember and try all its culinary delights.