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.
This time we sat down to have a conversation with an antique diamond specialist who believes in authenticity, craftsmanship, and the future of Antwerp: Julien Lorincz from FIMA Diamonds.
Tell us a little about yourself and the company you work for.
Julien Lorincz: I've been at FIMA Diamonds since 2010. In the beginning we did a bit of everything, but quite quickly, under the influence of founder Dean Koenig, we moved in a different direction: unusual diamonds, special shapes cut from unusual rough crystals, and antique diamonds came along with that. We were fascinated by the history and the uniqueness of them. At the time, it wasn't popular at all.
How do you actually find antique diamonds?
Julien: It's a real hunt. Over fifteen years we've built an extensive network through auctions, but mostly through contacts spread across Europe: France, England, Switzerland, Italy. We never know exactly what we're going to find or when. That's part of what makes it so exciting. Today we're probably one of the largest loose wholesalers of antique diamonds in the world.
How did you end up in the diamond industry yourself?
Julien: I come from a diamond family: my father was a diamantaire in the eighties and nineties. I never worked with him, but I got familiar with the trade. Around 2005-2006 I started learning to polish, sorting diamonds, getting hands-on with the material. That's how I got into it.
You have a clear niche in rare and antique diamonds. Is that something that always drew you in personally?
Julien: Honestly, I find mass-produced diamonds boring. I love history, I love unique things. With antique diamonds, no two stones are the same. Each one has its own character, its own personality. They're artisanal products, made by hand. Luckily, the niche we carved out has become more and more popular over time, though in the beginning I was buying them faster than I could sell them.
What do you predict will be the next big trend in engagement ring diamonds?
Julien: Today, sixty percent of engagement rings in the US include lab-grown diamonds, and that number will likely rise in Europe too. It's affordable and a good product, it's just sold for far more than its actual worth.
But I see a counter-movement growing. A lot of people, including young people, want something authentic. Something that sets them apart. If you have an antique diamond, you know for certain it's a natural stone, cut more than a hundred years ago, with no recent ecological impact. That's a story a lab-grown diamond can never tell.
Do you think that desire for authenticity will keep growing?
Julien: Absolutely. Everything feels fake today: Instagram, the synthetic diamonds, you name it. People are searching for something real. I see it every day: twenty-six-year-olds coming in for an engagement ring, not because it's the most expensive option, but because they want something with character. Something that's truly theirs. A diamond grown in a factory has no story. You put a hundred of them on a table and you can't tell one from another. Where's the joy in that?
What are Antwerp's strengths as a diamond hub today?
Julien: Location is the biggest advantage. Stable environment, no conflict, easy access to all of Europe. Major brands and luxury houses like buying in Antwerp because of the transparency and the way everything is handled. When a stone has passed through Antwerp, you know it's clean.
But I'd love to see more political support. Look at what political backing did for Dubai. It was nothing, and now it's one of the biggest diamond trading hubs in the world. That’s different here. Such a shame, because Antwerp has all the ingredients. With a little push, this city could become great again.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the diamond industry?
Julien: Get as close to the material as possible. Go to auctions, they're a fantastic school. You see jewelry, you see stones, you follow prices. And try to sell. When you try to sell a piece, you start to understand its commercial value, who the client is, why they make an offer or walk away. That's where the real learning happens.
Is there someone in the Antwerp diamond world whose story you'd love to see told next?
Julien: I'd point to Lionel Goldstein from E. Goldstein Diamonds. I think he has a very interesting story to tell here in Antwerp.
