Antwerp: From 16 to 20 February, the Congolese diamond company SACIM SARL organised a particularly successful diamond tender in Antwerp. More than 288,000 carats of rough Congolese diamonds were sold at prices that were on average over 40% higher than those achieved in other, competing diamond trading centres. The result once again underlines Antwerp’s unique position as an international hub for rough diamond trading and as the preferred location for diamond companies to bring their rough diamonds to market. The diamond tender took place at the Antwerp World Diamond Centre’s Tender Facility and was organized in cooperation with the Antwerp-based diamond company Samir Gems.
The 288,000 carats of rough diamonds were sold in Antwerp by the Congolese diamond mining company SACIM SARL, which has again been granted free access to the open market since the lifting of Congolese sales restrictions in June 2025. The company is extremely satisfied with the outcome of the diamond tender in Antwerp. “The prices for the rough diamonds achieved here were significantly higher than in other trading centres, and the number of high-quality participants in the tender was also greater. That makes Antwerp the ideal location to bring these goods to market,” says Anjal Bhansali of Samir Gems in Antwerp, which organized the tender on behalf of SACIM. Strengthened by this success, the company also sees Antwerp as an important market for organising rough diamond tenders in the future.
Antwerp as the most reliable partner for diamond-producing countries:
Even under challenging international market conditions, Antwerp remains the most ideal place to sell rough diamonds directly sourced from the mine. “The success of the tender that SACIM held here last week once again proves this,” says Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the organization that represents the interests of all Antwerp diamond companies. “The strong presence of international buyers physically attending the diamond tenders creates robust competition, leading to optimal prices for the goods. In addition, our well-equipped tender facilities and Antwerp’s strong reputation for control and transparency make us a particularly reliable partner for diamond-producing countries,” Karen Rentmeesters adds. By operating under Antwerp’s strict regulations, countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo can demonstrate that their diamonds are brought to market in a fair and responsible manner, giving sales in Antwerp clear added value.
| Antwerp diamond tender of rough Congolese diamonds by SACIM SARL – key figures: 288,000 carats of rough diamonds were offered for sale A total of USD 3.2 million worth of rough diamonds was sold 63 companies booked a combined 87 viewing slots during the tender week 47 bidders submitted a total of 311 bids An average of 9 bids were placed per lot The average price per sold carat was 41.6% higher than at a recent diamond tender in Dubai, where the goods were previously brought to market |
More information about the Antwerp Tender Facility and the support provided by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre can be found here: https://www.awdc.be/tender-facility.
