Diamond Museum Audio Guide Tour

The Diamond Museum in Amsterdam sits close to Museumplein, a fitting place to explore a craft closely tied to the city’s past. Amsterdam became an important center for diamond cutting and polishing as its trading networks expanded. In the nineteenth century, the industry provided work for many residents, including skilled workers in the city’s Jewish community. The persecution of that community during the Second World War also devastated a vital part of Amsterdam’s diamond trade. Beyond their value as gemstones, diamonds tell a story of craftsmanship, labor, commerce, and changing ideas of beauty. A visit offers a way to consider both the skill involved in transforming a rough stone and the people behind Amsterdam’s reputation as a diamond city.