Israel’s Brilliant Ambassadors Sparkle in the Global Market

Known in the early pioneering days as the land of milk and honey, Israel has established itself now as the world’s premier supplier of superior polished diamonds and gemstones. The lifestyles of the rich and famous as well as those with passion, admiration, exquisite taste, and applicable bank accounts, have been enriched by the magnificence and translucent purity of the diamonds and precious stones adorning millions around the world.

Such well-known brands as Place Vendome Jewelers, Bulgari, Chopard, Graff, Tiffany, and many others select the best of the best from the brilliant and well-respected diamond repository found at Israel’s Diamond Center with the world’s largest Diamond Exchange.

On my recent trip to Israel, I planned to explore Israel’s Diamond Center, including the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum, located in the city of Ramat Gan in close proximity to Tel Aviv. But, visiting Israel’s attractions during the High Holiday season presented a challenge. People were busy cooking, celebrating, praying, cooking some more, and visiting with families and friends. Everyone’s day-to-day busy, stressful, and hectic lives had significantly slowed down even the traffic.

Unexpectedly, everything was closed for the holidays except (Eureka!) Israel’s Diamond Museum, the Diamond Center’s retail jewelry stores, and, fortunately for me, the legendary Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv, where I had a chance to experience and enjoy my week’s stay in Tel Aviv.

Checking into my lovely appointed executive suite, featuring a large window with a priceless panoramic view on the Mediterranean Sea, I discovered a welcome note from Etai Eliaz, the hotel’s general manager, wishing me a pleasant stay and a Happy Rosh Hashanah greeting. The delicious amenity of apple honey bread (the traditional and symbolic food of eating something sweet in order to have a sweet New Year, amen!) was a pleasant reprieve from not being with my family in California, and it surely made me feel at home.

Have you ever stayed in a luxury hotel, never wanting to leave its spoiling surroundings, such as the amazing gourmet restaurant, the top floor’s salt water swimming pool, the comfort of the executive hospitality lounge, and a lavish daily breakfast, so often talked about in Israel? Well, it almost happened to me at the Dan Hotel. But I was in Tel Aviv, the vibrant city that never sleeps, where dancing under the stars right on Tayelet, the gorgeous promenade along the sea, goes on until the wee hours of the morning. So, in spite of my soft down comforter and a hugely inviting bed, I decided to be sleepless in Tel Aviv and enjoy the sites I set my sights on.

From cottage industry to mega-industry, Israel’s diamond business began in the 1930s by enterprising immigrants who brought a trade they had learned in Belgium. In 1937, the Israel Diamond Exchange was formed, under the name ‘’Palestine Diamond Club’’ and by 1940, a handful of factories were operating in Netanya and Tel Aviv. The Palestine Diamond Club first met in a room in a private house and later moved to a café in Tel Aviv. Is that a déja vu history of Silicon Valley’s historic Apple Garage?

The Israeli Diamond Industry is, in my estimation, truly the first original start-up, as we call it now. It is one of the diamond world’s leading centers – a hub for both the trade and the manufacturing of polished diamonds. The know-how, expert craftsmanship, and sophisticated diamond processing technologies of Israel’s diamond factories are considered the most advanced in the world and many of them were developed locally. They consist of lasers for diamond cutting, brutting machines, automatic polishing machines, and computer-aided design systems which are used today throughout the global diamond industry.

Israel’s experience and ingenuity are invaluable in polishing larger and more expensive stones. That’s why diamond manufacturing facilities in Israel specialize in polishing large- and medium-sized diamonds of all shapes and cuts, which is absolutely perfect for my taste and choice.

The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE), one of the largest and most sophisticated diamond exchange centers in the world, operates under the unique concept of ‘’all under one roof.’’ It counts more than 3,000 members engaged in all facets of day-to-day operation of the center and it consists of four interconnected high-rise buildings that form a virtually impenetrable fortress. The complex enables both the members and its visitors, approximately 15,000 each day, to conduct their business with maximum comfort and security, both in the trading hall and within the confines of their 1,200 private offices.

A visit to the Israel Diamond Exchange is like a trip to a huge supermarket; It’s a paradise for diamond buyers. In this setting, members and visitors have access to a complete range of services within the complex, from essential business services such as shipping agents, commercial banks, insurance companies, the government diamond controller’s office, customs office, post office, and gemological labs to conveniences such as restaurants, shops, a lounge, an intensive care room, a synagogue, and more – removing any need to leave the secure complex.

It is a home to leading international companies and representatives of the major diamond mining companies as well as the foremost international companies in rough diamond manufacturing and trading industry. For many diamond companies, the Israel Diamond Exchange presents a strategic commercial center for their head office, from where they conduct their global operations.

About one-third of global rough diamond production is imported to the Israel Diamond Exchange each year from where it finds its way to world markets. Israel is the foremost polished diamond supplier to the US market, which is considered the largest diamond consumption market in the world. Approximately 50% of diamonds purchased in the US in dollar terms come from Israel. With the rapid growth of Asian markets – most notably Hong Kong, China, and India – Israel is rapidly becoming a major factor in supplying these markets as well.

The two Hebrew words ‘’Mazal U’Bracha,’’ meaning, ‘’May the deal be with luck and blessings,’’ is the international saying for clinching a deal in the diamond business. This is the accepted code among diamond dealers whether they are in Israel, the U.S., China, India, or even in Arab countries.

Gems have been set in crowns, religious items, and artifacts since the dawn of history. The ongoing romance between mankind and these gems remains an unresolved enigma. Their irresistible appeal intrigues us to this very day.

In my communications with Sharon Gefen, Israel Diamond Institute’s Director of Public Relations, I learned that the Diamond Exchange is not open to the public, even to VIPs, and only qualified diamond buyers are allowed entrance. Well, by the amount of shopping I do, I am sure I could easily qualify, but, oh, what’s this? Shalom Mr. Security Officer…

‘’That’s why I recommend visiting the Israel Diamond Museum which offers an introduction to the world of diamonds and to the Israeli Diamond Industry specifically,’’ adds Ms. Gefen. ‘’In addition, the area surrounding the Diamond Exchange is designated for the retailers who happily and expertly offer for sale diamond jewelry with gemstones that have come directly from their famous neighbor, the Israel Diamond Exchange.’’

The Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum, currently celebrating its 70th anniversary, is located in the Israeli Diamond Center’s complex and, like a diamond, it is always around and always new, and luckily for me, open for a visit. The museum’s role is to introduce visitors with inquiring minds, such as mine, to the enchanting and fascinating world of diamonds – from the different mining systems, the stages of cutting, and the polishing process, all via the multimedia interactive virtual tour which maps the diamond’s route from the belly of the mine to its final destination in a sparkling piece of jewelry, hopefully around my neck or on my finger.

And as I tour the Diamond Museum, as well as the fabulous IDC and Anbinder retail shops, Shirley Bassey’s sensual and invitingly convincing song, ‘’Diamonds are Forever,’’ from James Bond’s most popular movie of the same name, creep into my mind.

Diamonds are forever,

Sparkling round my little finger,

Diamonds are forever,

They are all I need to please me.

For info on the IDC visit: www.idc-diamond.com

For info on the Diamond Museum visit: www.diamond-museum.co.il

For info about the Dan Hotels visit: www.danhotels.com

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, not the best of ‘’balabostas’’ her beloved beautiful Mom, Dina, was hoping for. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out.

 By Lina Broydo