Antwerp Diamond Industry Shifts as Prices Hit 14-Year Low

Diamond prices just cratered to a 14-year low, and the fallout's rocking Antwerp's tight-knit trading community. The Gujarati Jain traders, who've anchored the city's gemstone trade for decades, are now reconsidering their next move as the luster of their primary asset fades in key global markets.

Antwerp Diamond Industry Shifts: A Crisis of Faith and Finance

According to Nikkei Asia, the Jain community in Antwerp—known for building continental Europe's only Jain temple—is facing an existential threat. Ashwin Jhaveri, a trustee of the Shankheshwar Parshvanath Jain Temple, notes that while trust has always been the industry's bedrock, the current market reality is making business increasingly "tougher."

Why the Sparkle is Fading in 2026

The numbers don't lie. Prices have hit a 14-year nadir. In China, Gen Z buyers are pivoting to "little bits of bling" instead of high-carat investment stones. Meanwhile, in India, gold jewelry's losing its shine as steep prices bite into consumer budgets. This double-whammy has left the Antwerp hub in a precarious position.