Diamonds are Forever

If you want to find out if ‘diamonds are forever’, pop into the Diamond Museum in Amsterdam. No extra security is needed because all diamonds on display are replicas. Coster Diamonds is an Amsterdam diamond and trading company whose history goes back for almost two centuries. Adjacent to the museum is the Diamond Showroom where you can buy real diamonds.

Amsterdam and Diamonds

Jews introduced the art of diamond cutting in the 16th century, and today Amsterdam is the diamond-cutting capital of the world. Stop for a moment to look at the famous koh-i-noor diamond that sparkles in Queen Elizabeth’s coronation crown. The diamond glitters like the real one in the crown, which ison show in the Tower in London. Walking through the exhibition room, you will hear Marilyn Monroe sing Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.

The Royal Tiara

Marvel at diamonds from the size of pinpoints to avocado seeds. They twinkle like stars in crowns, tiaras, scepters, brooches, necklaces and earrings. Finish your tour by taking a picture of yourself wearing the royal tiara or Napoleon Bonaparte’s diamond studded laurel wreath. Then play the interactive computer game dragging crowns and necklaces to your head and neckline and see how they make you beautiful.

Royal Experience Guided Tour

If make-believe is not good enough for you, go next door and visit Coster Diamonds Show Rooms. Join their diamond tour that whisks through the sections where you witness polishing, cutting and setting. The tour ends in the sales area. Here you will find plenty of opportunity to try on massive diamond necklaces and rings on each finger, ask questions and buy diamonds.

Address: Diamond Museum, Paulus Potterstraat 8, Amsterdam
Opening Hours: 7 days a week 09.00-17.00

More interesting museums in Amsterdam
Fabriques des Lumieres
Kattenkabinet, all about cats
Madame Tussauds
Tulip Museum
Hash Museum
Erotic Museum
Upside Down Museum
Museum of Prostitution
Body Worlds
National maritime Museum

photos: Marianne Crone