In ‘The Faces of the Industry,’ a recurring item in our newsletter, we bring an industry name to the spotlight, one at a time. This person has been nominated by the previous ‘Face of the Industry’ and will appoint the one for the next edition of the Antwerp Diamond Digest.
For this interview, we sat down with Erwin Zielinski, master cutter at Antwerp Cut. Erwin has been polishing diamonds for decades and joined Mike Akiki at Antwerp Cut in the nineties. Years later, his son now works alongside him in the same manufacturing facility, while Erwin himself has no plans of putting down his polishing wheel anytime soon.
Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself and the company you work for?
Erwin Zielinski: My name is Erwin Zielinski, and I am the Master Cutter at Antwerp Cut. I have dedicated my professional life to diamond cutting, constantly striving for precision, perfection, and innovation. Antwerp Cut represents craftsmanship at the highest level by combining tradition with forward-thinking techniques, especially in the field of fancy-colored diamonds.
How did you get into polishing diamonds?
Erwin: Diamond cutting has always fascinated me, transforming rough stone to a masterpiece of light and fire. Early in my career, I focused on mastering the fundamentals of proportion, symmetry, and brilliance. Over time, I realized that true mastery lies not only in execution, but in understanding the soul of the stone.
How long have you been polishing diamonds? When did you add fancy colors to the list?
Erwin: I have been polishing diamonds for decades. However, the turning point came in the early nineties when Mike Akiki introduced the idea and advanced polishing techniques for fancy-colored diamonds to Antwerp.
At that time, fancy colors were not yet fully understood in terms of how cutting could enhance or intensify color. Mike brought a completely new vision and technical approach. I immediately recognized the opportunity. As a master cutter, I saw that this was not just another niche, but the future of specialized high-value cutting.
Taking on that challenge became one of the defining moments of my career. Since then, as Master Cutter of Antwerp Cut, I have continued refining and elevating those techniques to this day.
What skills do you need to already have before you even start learning to polish diamonds? What makes a great potential polisher?
Erwin: Patience. Discipline. Exceptional hand–eye coordination. And above all, respect for the material.
A great polisher must understand geometry, light behavior, and structure, but also develop intuition. Fancy-colored diamonds require even deeper sensitivity. You are not only cutting for brilliance; you are cutting to reveal and protect color.
It is a craft where one wrong decision can cost thousands, sometimes millions.
Is diamond polishing a skill that runs in your family?
Erwin: Not originally. It became a personal calling. But over time, the workshop became a second family. Knowledge is passed down from master to apprentice, and that is how our craft survives. Now, even my own son has joined the second family and polishes alongside us.
What do you think are Antwerp's strengths as a diamond polishing hub?
Erwin: Antwerp remains unique because of its concentration of expertise. Nowhere else do you find such density of experience, history, and technical excellence in one place.
But Antwerp’s true strength lies in its master cutters, individuals who are willing to innovate while respecting tradition. The early introduction of fancy-color polishing techniques in the nineties positioned Antwerp as a serious player in that field.
What do you experience as your biggest challenges right now?
Erwin: The industry is changing rapidly from transformations in technology, synthetic diamonds, and shifting markets. But the biggest challenge remains in maintaining craftsmanship at the highest level while adapting to modern demands.
Fancy-colored diamonds demand time and precision. The market often demands speed. Balancing both is the challenge.
What golden tip would you like to give to fellow diamond polishers? Students who have just started the polishing trajectory?
Erwin: Never rush learning. Master the basics first. Understand proportions before you attempt innovation. And most importantly, learn from those who have already taken risks and paved the way.
In our case, the early vision of bringing advanced fancy-color polishing techniques to Antwerp opened doors for many of us. Recognizing opportunities is just as important as technical skills.
What do you think could attract potential diamond polishers to learn the skill?
Erwin: The idea that you are working on something rare and eternal. A diamond is billions of years old. You are the final human touch before it enters history.
For those willing to dedicate themselves fully, it is one of the most rewarding crafts in the world.
Why did you choose to specialize in fancy-colored diamonds? What color diamond is your favorite and why?
Erwin: I chose fancy-colored diamonds because they require strategy, creativity, and courage.
When Mike Akiki introduced the concept and techniques in the early nineties, it was clear that this was unexplored territory. As a master cutter, I saw a challenge and I accepted it.
My favorite colors are vivid yellow and intense pink. Yellow because of its warmth and strength. Pink because of its rarity and the extreme precision required to bring out its full potential.
Finally, one last question: whose story within the Antwerp diamond industry are you curious about? And why exactly?
Erwin: I am always curious about the pioneers, those who dared to introduce something new when the market was not yet ready. One story in particular that I am interested in learning more about is that of Mr. Arthur Langerman.
Innovation in Antwerp has always come from individuals who are willing to challenge tradition while respecting it. Those are the stories that shape the future.
