Diamantmuseum Brugge

Discover Bruges’ diamond heritage at Diamantmuseum Brugge, featuring exhibits on diamond cutting, polishing demonstrations, and the city’s role in the diamond industry.

Planning your visit

Bruges claims the invention of diamond polishing. In the fifteenth century a Bruges goldsmith, Lodewijk van Berquem, is credited with developing the scaif — a polishing wheel using diamond dust — and with establishing the principle of symmetrical facets, which made the modern cut gemstone possible. Bruges was then one of the wealthiest trading cities in Europe, and the diamond trade flourished before shifting to Antwerp.

The Diamantmuseum covers that history: the geology of diamond formation, the mining, the historic cutting techniques and the tools, alongside the city's role in the trade.

The polishing demonstration is the substance of the visit. A cutter works a stone on a rotating wheel while explaining what is being done and why the angles matter, and seeing the process removes a good deal of mystification.

Bruges is small and heavily visited, and the museum sits within easy walking distance of the centre.

Bookable options include tickets with the polishing demonstration. Current availability is listed below.