DTC Opens the Forevermark Antwerp Marking Facility

The Diamond Trading Company (DTC), De Beers sales and marketing arm, opened today Forevermark in De Foyer, Antwerp. This new facility began marking diamonds in November 2006, two months ahead of schedule, and is the DTC’s first marking facility outside the UK. It was created in order to satisfy the growing demand for the program in Hong Kong, Japan, China, and India.

“The Antwerp opening is part of the DTC’s continuing commitment to making the Forevermark facility as accessible as possible for Sightholders in the countries in which they operate,” the company said today. The facility employs 14 people and has 30 percent more capacity than the existing UK unit.

The Forevermark is a special symbol and identification number unique to each diamond, providing an assurance to consumers that their diamond meets the highest standards of the DTC. Each diamond with the Forevermark carries a promise that the diamond is genuine, natural, and untreated. Every diamond is also accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity reassuring consumers that their stone was mined, cut, and polished in an ethically, socially, and environmentally responsible way.

The mark is available on diamonds of 0.30 carats and above, sourced from the DTC and polished by one of several authorized Sightholders. The 1/20 of a micron deep (a mere 1/500th the thickness of a human hair) mark is inscribed with by the DTC and can be seen with the Forevermark viewer.

Launched in Hong Kong in September 2004, 2006 sales have grown 56 percent in volume and 71 percent in value compared with 2005. In 2006/7, the DTC has expanded the Forevermark, launching in three new markets: Japan, China, and India. To date, 75,000+ stones have been marked.