HRD Antwerp

What HRD Antwerp does

HRD Antwerp NV is a privately held Belgian diamond and jewellery grading laboratory founded in 1973 in Antwerp, operating across three core service lines: diamond and jewellery certification, professional gemological education, and laboratory equipment manufacturing. The company grades loose diamonds (natural and laboratory-grown), coloured diamonds, and finished jewellery using the standardized 4Cs methodology (carat, colour, clarity, cut) combined with a proprietary double coding system designed to ensure grading objectivity. Beyond grading reports, HRD Antwerp offers value-added services including Hearts & Arrows certification, laser inscription, and tamper-proof diamond sealing. Its technology stack includes the proprietary M1 and M1 IoT microscopes powered by Leica Optics with remote demonstration capabilities, the LT4 Series LED grading lamps, and the My HRD Antwerp digital portal backed by a public API for programmatic report retrieval. The company runs a multi-channel go-to-market through company-owned labs in Antwerp, Dubai and Mumbai, representative locations in Madrid, Surat and Istanbul, and a network of Centre of Excellence education partners across Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The business model combines transactional fee-for-service grading with one-time tuition for diploma and short courses, hardware sales of microscopes and lamps to professional graders and retailers, and a transaction-based revenue share on pre-loved jewellery sold through a 2024 partnership with 58 Facettes. Education pricing ranges from EUR 500 for short workshops to EUR 2,950 for the flagship Certified Diamond Grader diploma in Antwerp, with corporate pre-booking discounts of 15-40%. The customer base spans diamond traders and jewellers (primary B2B segment), aspiring gemmologists and jewellery professionals (education segment), individual jewellery sellers (pre-loved segment), and jewellery retailers requiring equipment. The company claims 240,000+ alumni educated globally since 1973 and operates subsidiaries in Dubai (HRD Antwerp DMCC) and India (HRD Diamond Institute Pvt Ltd), plus a joint venture in Türkiye (AYJ Laboratories). No parent company, venture funding, or ownership changes have been disclosed in available sources, and HRD Antwerp NV operates as an independent private corporation registered in Belgium (BTW 0885.938.315).

Name

HRD Antwerp

Legal name

HRD Antwerp NV

Website

https://hrdantwerp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

HRD Antwerp is a privately held Belgian diamond and jewellery grading laboratory founded in 1973, offering certification, professional gemological education, and proprietary grading equipment to diamond traders, jewellers, and aspiring gemmologists globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gemological Laboratory Services (Diamond and Jewellery Grading)

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Diamond Grading & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Colored Gemstone Identification & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAH)

Keywords

• Diamond grading services
• Jewellery certification
• Gemmology education
• Laboratory grown diamond detection
• Gemological equipment manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Antwerp

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Diamond Grading Services: Fees charged for grading loose diamonds and issuing grading reports. Services include Natural Diamond Grading Reports, Laboratory Grown Diamond Grading Reports, Natural Diamond Colour Grading Reports, and Natural Diamond Identification Reports. Pricing varies by laboratory location (Antwerp, Dubai, India).
2. Jewellery Certification: Fees for analysing and certifying jewellery items, including authentication for insurance, inheritance, or purchase purposes. Provides market value determination and descriptions of diamonds and precious metals.
3. Education Courses: Tuition fees for diamond grading, gemmology, jewellery design courses offered at owned centres in Antwerp, Dubai, Mumbai and partner locations globally. Courses include Certified Diamond Grader (2,950 EUR Antwerp), Gemmology Basic/Advanced (2,000 EUR each), Diamond Grading Practical, Rough Diamond Appraisal, and specialized workshops.
4. Equipment Sales: Sale of microscopes (M1 and M1 IoT) and grading lamps (LT4 series) to jewellery industry professionals, graders, and retailers. Includes demonstration options in Dubai, Antwerp, and Mumbai.
5. Pre-loved Jewellery Certification: Certification services for pre-loved and vintage jewellery through partnership with 58 Facettes platform. Commission-based model where HRD Antwerp certifies jewellery pieces for authenticated resale.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HRD Antwerp is an international diamond and jewellery grading laboratory that issues objective grading reports for natural and laboratory-grown diamonds and jewellery using the 4Cs methodology (carat, colour, clarity, cut) and its proprietary double coding system for anonymity. In addition to grading services, the company delivers professional gemmology and diamond education (Certified Diamond Grader, gemmology, rough diamond appraisal, jewellery design) and manufactures proprietary grading equipment (M1/M1 IoT microscopes and LT4 LED grading lamps) for industry professionals.

Product overview

HRD Antwerp is a diamond and jewellery grading laboratory headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium since 1973, offering expert grading, education, and retailer services. The core product portfolio consists of grading reports for natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, and jewellery, including Natural Diamond Grading Reports, Laboratory Grown Diamond Grading Reports, Natural Diamond Colour Grading Reports, Natural Diamond Identification Reports, Jewellery Reports, and Laboratory Grown Diamond Jewellery Reports. These core grading products are supported by add-on services such as Hearts & Arrows certification, laser inscription, and diamond sealing. HRD Antwerp also offers equipment products including M1 and M1 IoT microscopes (powered by Leica Optics with IoT connectivity features) and LT4 Series grading lamps with LED technology. The education division provides courses in polished diamonds, rough diamonds, gemmology, and jewellery design through online, pre-recorded, and on-campus formats at centres in Antwerp, Dubai, and Mumbai. Additional services include the My HRD Antwerp customer portal for report access, the HRD Design Awards competition program, and a pre-loved jewellery certification and sales partnership with 58 Facettes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Natural Diamond Grading Report Objective grading report confirming a polished natural diamond's authenticity, providing a detailed description of the 4Cs (Carat, Colour, Clarity, and Cut). Issued by HRD Antwerp's expert graders at labs in Antwerp, Dubai, or Mumbai for diamond trade professionals and jewellery businesses.
• Laboratory Grown Diamond Grading Report Grading report for laboratory-grown diamonds issued under disclosed conditions, using the same nomenclature as the Natural Diamond Grading Report with detailed 4Cs (Carat, Colour, Clarity, Cut) description.
• Natural Diamond Colour Grading Report Grading report describing colour origin, colour characteristics, and short- and long-wave luminescence properties of natural diamonds.
• Natural Diamond Identification Report Pared-down grading report exclusively for diamonds under 1.00 carat, providing identification and basic grading information.
• Jewellery Report Official document for authenticating jewellery items for insurance, inheritance or purchase purposes, describing the jewel, diamonds, and precious metals. Provides market value determination.
• Laboratory Grown Diamond Jewellery Report Report issued when all diamonds in jewellery are laboratory-grown, under disclosed conditions, describing the jewellery and lab-grown diamonds it contains.
• Hearts & Arrows Diamond Certification Specialized certification for precisely cut round brilliant diamonds displaying eight hearts through the pavilion and eight arrows through the crown when examined with a special viewer, indicating top-quality cut.
• Laser Inscription Service Laser inscription service using excimer shortwave technology to inscribe diamonds with reference numbers or customized messages without affecting appearance.
• Diamond Sealing Service Tamper-proof sealing service guaranteeing that a grading report and corresponding diamond belong together while protecting from oil and dirt.
• M1 Microscope Gemology microscope powered by Leica Optics with FusionOptics technology, featuring diffused dome light, multiple illumination modes, and magnetic circular vacuum manipulator for examining diamonds, colored stones, and jewellery.
• M1 IoT Microscope Upgraded version of the M1 microscope with IoT capabilities including integrated computer with Windows 10, 8MP industrial camera, WiFi/internet connectivity, cloud storage, and WhatsApp/Zoom video integration for remote client demonstrations.
• LT4 Series Grading Lamp Diamond and gemstone grading lamp with 4 LED tubes (2x 6500K White, 1x 5000K Daylight, 1x UV 365nm), gas spring arm positioning, and illuminated control panel with minimum 25,000 hours lifespan.
• My HRD Antwerp Portal Secure 24/7 online service providing global access to HRD Antwerp grading report archive and transit results for tracking diamonds and jewellery through the grading process. API access is available for automated report retrieval.
• Polished Diamond Courses Courses teaching diamond grading covering the 4Cs and their impact on diamond value, with extensive practical sessions taught by experienced instructors in Antwerp, Dubai, and Mumbai, available live online or pre-recorded.
• Rough Diamond Courses Courses teaching sorting of rough diamonds into categories by size, colour, clarity, and morphology, building theoretical foundation toward practical appraisal skills.
• Gemmology Courses Courses covering identification, grading, and distinction of gemstones based on physical and optical properties, with hands-on training using gemmological equipment, including distinguishing natural rubies, sapphires and emeralds from synthetic variants and simulants.
• Jewellery Design Courses Courses covering jewellery design illustration techniques, digital design techniques, fundamental design concepts, and use of diamonds and gemstones in jewellery, enabling students to create a design portfolio.
• Workshops Curated workshops in retail sales, fancy coloured diamonds, diamond treatments, laboratory grown diamonds, diamond spectroscopy, and ruby, sapphire, emerald identification, for jewellery professionals and students.
• Custom-Made Courses Tailor-made courses where content and location can be adapted to customer needs, offered to schools, private individuals, and companies.
• Pre-Loved Jewellery Service Service in partnership with 58 Facettes for certifying and selling pre-loved jewellery, including authentication, cleaning, photography, and global online sales. Certified pieces show a 78% sell-through rate and average 1-month sale versus 3-6 months uncertified.

Quantifiable outcome

• 78% of pieces sell on 58 Facettes pre-loved platform when properly certified
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• 58 FacettescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2024Partnership with 58 Facettes, the biggest online platform for pre-loved jewellery. HRD Antwerp provides certification and authentication services for jewellery being sold on the platform, enabling faster sales (average 1 month vs 3-6 months) and up to 30% higher returns. Official start from 15th March 2024.
• VicenzaorocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Vicenzaoro, Europe's largest trade show for gold and jewellery, for the HRD Design Awards Grand Finale event. The 18th edition HRD Design Awards was held at Vicenzaoro venue on 22nd January 2023.
• Centre of Excellence PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducation partners located in Italy, Spain, Poland, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and The Philippines. Partners organize diamond, gemmology and design courses regularly using HRD Antwerp course materials and teaching methods. Includes centres in Warsaw (Polish), Madrid (Spanish), Florence (Italian), Barcelona, Istanbul (Turkish), Rome, Milan, Bari, Napoli, Jeddah (Arabic), Riyadh, Cairo (English).
• CIBJOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe World Jewellery Confederation provides high patronage for HRD Design Awards, validating the international significance of the competition as the world's leading design contest for diamond and gemstone jewellery.
• LeicacoreTechnology or IntegrationLeica S9 Series Optics power the M1 and M1 IoT microscopes, providing crystal clear images with 122mm working distance and FusionOptics technology allowing 12mm depth of field maximum.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute: Swiss non-profit gemmological laboratory affiliated with leading trade bodies, offering colored stone and diamond testing services. Comparable peer in the premium third-party gemstone certification space with strong scientific research reputation similar to HRD Antwerp.
• Gübelin Gem Lab: Swiss-based prestigious gemstone testing laboratory specializing in colored gemstone identification and origin determination. Direct peer offering gemmology services with comparable premium positioning, though with stronger focus on colored stones than HRD Antwerp's diamond-centric business.
• American Gem Society (AGS): US-based diamond grading laboratory and trade association providing diamond quality grading reports. Direct competitor in diamond certification, though with stronger US retail jeweller network focus compared to HRD Antwerp's Antwerp-centric European heritage.
• International Gemological Institute (IGI): Global diamond and gemstone grading laboratory headquartered in Antwerp with operations across India, Asia, and the US. IGI is a direct peer to HRD Antwerp, also offering diamond grading reports and gemmology education, with strong positioning in lab-grown diamond certification.

Broad incumbents

• Gemological Institute of America (GIA): The world's largest and most recognized diamond and gemstone grading laboratory, offering the GIA Diamond Grading Report. Direct competitor to HRD Antwerp's core certification services with much larger global scale and dominant US consumer brand recognition.
• Sarine Technologies: Israel-based diamond technology company providing automated diamond planning, grading, and traceability solutions. Adjacent competitor in diamond industry technology infrastructure, with potential overlap as grading technology becomes more automated.

Others

• 58 Facettes: Online marketplace for pre-loved and vintage jewellery that partners with HRD Antwerp for authentication. Strategic partner rather than competitor; representative of the broader resale ecosystem where HRD Antwerp's certification services enable transaction trust.

Emerging players

• Presidium Products: Singapore-based manufacturer of gemological testing instruments including diamond testers and moissanite detectors. Direct competitor in the gem equipment market where HRD Antwerp launched its M1 microscope and LT4 lamp products in 2025.

Regional players

• National Gemstone Testing Center (NGTC): China's official government-backed gemstone testing and certification laboratory serving the world's second-largest diamond consumer market. Regional peer in diamond certification with state-backed authority, limiting HRD Antwerp's expansion potential in China.
• Gemological Institute of India (GII): India-focused diamond and gemstone grading laboratory with strong presence in Mumbai and Surat - directly overlapping with HRD Antwerp's India operations. Regional peer competing for the same Indian diamond trade customer base.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HRD Antwerp