Historical Gem Cutting Regions: Bruges (Brugge), Belgium
History of Diamond Cutting in Bruges (Brugge)
Article Copyright © 2010 AllAboutGemstones.com
The city of Bruges (pronounced broojh) in West-Flanders, Belgium lies at the far end of the diamond trade route. The city was founded by the Vikings during the 9th century, when they settled at the end of the de Reie river. The name Bruges is derived from the Scandinavian 'Brygga,' meaning 'harbor.'
Brugge Map c.1572 - Hebrew University of Jerusalem |
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During the late 14th century Bruges became a hub of diamond cutting and trading, lying at the end of the diamond trade route. In 1450 a method for polishing diamonds using a rotating disk coated with diamond powder was invented by Bruges goldsmith, Lodewijk van Berquem.
The city's fortunes began a steady decline in the 15th century due in large part to the silting up of the 'Zwin' sea-inlet connecting Bruges to the North Sea. Ships used by Mediterranean traders (kogge), to transport ivory, precious stones and manufactured goods such as paintings, jewellery, tapestries, and textiles, could no longer gain easy access to the city [10].
Diamantmuseum Brugge |
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Brugge Canal |
Toward the end of the Burgundian period, Bruge's decline hastened, and the diamond trade began to relocate to Amsterdam and Antwerp, both having larger and deeper harbors. Even with the construction of out-ports at Damme and Sluis, the city's former glory as an economic and financial center had slipped away by the end of the 16th century. Tradesmen working in the diamond polishing and setting (diamantaire, diamantslijper) industry moved on to Amsterdam and Antwerp to find new opportunities.
The Brugs Diamanthuis (Bruges Diamond House) built in 1518, and the Diamantmuseum Brugge are all that remain of Bruges' erstwhile diamond-cutting heritage. The Diamantmuseum contains replicas of van Berquem's diamond-cutting equipment and the museum provides daily diamond-polishing demonstrations using reproductions of antique cutting equipment.
On To:
Italian & Flemish Renaissance Gem Cutters
Old European Gemstone Cuts
Fancy European Gem Cuts & Fantasy Cuts
Gem Cutting Technology, Equipment & Techniques
Brugge Hotels
Bibliography on Gem & Diamond Cutting in Brugge
1. Diamant Museum Brugge, The Bruges Diamond Museum  . www.diamondmuseum.be
2. Jean Baptiste Tavernier, The Six Voyages.
3. Victoria Finlay, Jewels: A Secret History . Ballantine Books
4. Mildred Berman, Location of the Diamond-Cutting Industry . American Geographer Vol. 61
5. Gemcertificate, German Diamond and Gemstone Laboratories . www.gemcertificate.com
6. Edelsteinminen, Idar Oberstein Jewel Mines . www.edelsteinminen-idar-oberstein.de
7. Schmuck, Industrieverband Schmuck Deutschland . www.iv-schmuck-metall.de
8. The Bead Site, Roman Maps and the Concept of Indian Gems . www.thebeadsite.com
9. Beth Hatefutsoth, The Jewish Community of Antwerp . www.bh.org
10. Joods Historisch Museum, Amsterdam's Boas Diamond Factory . www.jhm.nl
11. Gassan's, Gassan Diamonds of Amsterdam . www.gassandiamonds.nl
12. Francesco Guerrera, Andrew Parke, The Changing Face of the Diamond Industry . specials.ft.com
13. Nationaal Vakbondsmuseum, Amsterdam Monumenten - The ANDB . www.bma.amsterdam.nl
14. Wilhelm Lindemann (ED.), Bernd Munsteiner: Reflexionen in Stein . Arnoldsche Art Publishers
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