HB Antwerp Opens Diamond Training Academy
The HB Academy will offer classes for prospective specialists and jewelry retailers, and continuing education for its own employees.

HB Academy, a state-of-the-art center based in Antwerp, will comprise three parts: training for prospective diamond specialists, courses for jewelry retailers, and an internal continuing education program for its own employees.
The academy will host a technical course three times a year for those interested in learning diamond polishing, starting this September.
After a “rigorous” selection process to assess technical skills and mathematical understanding, the academy will then choose eight prospective polishers to advance to a 12-week training course.
Those who complete that next step will be offered a job at HB Antwerp, where they will take additional courses to further master the craft under expert polishers.
Additionally, HB Academy will offer educational courses about the nuances of rough and polished diamonds catered to both boutique jewelers and major watch and jewelry brands.
The courses will be designed to help sales staff better understand their products and address customer questions.
“The combination of innovative technology, experienced craftsmanship, and transparency is the hallmark of HB Antwerp,” said Director of Corporate Affairs Margaux Donckier.
“HB Academy marks the first full-fledged, Antwerp-based training center for those in the diamond trade in decades. HB Antwerp is proud to contribute to the emergence of Antwerp as an international center for diamond knowledge and expertise.”
The academy and its program come as HB Antwerp continues to grow its operations.
The diamond company uses the latest planning and polishing technologies, blockchain, and artificial intelligence to take stones from rough to polished.
It signed on to analyze and cut the Sewelô diamond for Louis Vuitton last year and agreed to buy all Lucara Diamonds’ large stones (10.8 carats and up) through the end of 2020.
Concurrent with its news about the academy, HB Antwerp also announced a partnership with boutique incubator WomHub to recruit Botswanan engineering students for a training program.
The HB Innovation Lab is intended to support those pursuing STEM careers and provide local training and job opportunities, including a female-focused component for further gender parity in the diamond industry.
HB Antwerp said it intends to extend job offers to some participants upon completion of the program for positions at its diamond operations facility in Botswana.
The company is accepting applications through Aug. 2, with the program starting in September.
Those chosen for permanent positions will be onboarded at the start of 2022.
The Latest

Chicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.

Owners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.

A 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”


The jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.

The update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.

Each received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.

Catherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.

We asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.

Experts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.

Beth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”

Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.

The Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.

The campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.

Rachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.

After the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.

The industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.

The vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.

Former Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.

Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.

The April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.

Bulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.

In a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.

Smith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
























