DiamondBuzz
De Beers opens flagship store in Dubai Mall
De Beers has unveiled its new flagship boutique in Dubai Mall, marking a significant expansion into the UAE in partnership with Chalhoub Group. Rooted in over a century of diamond expertise, the store showcases the brand’s iconic collections—including Talisman, Enchanted Lotus, and RVL—alongside one-of-a-kind high jewellery pieces. Inspired by nature and blending Southern African heritage with London design, the boutique offers a luxurious, immersive space that celebrates De Beers’ legacy and craftsmanship.
Drawing on diamond expertise stretching back to 1888, the jewellery house marks life’s gradual evolution with meaningful creations. Just as rough diamonds are transformed into exquisite De Beers jewellery, the house honours the heartfelt moments, big and small, that define who we become.
Situated on the ground floor of the prestigious Dubai Mall in downtown Dubai, the new boutique takes design cues from the De Beers flagship on London’s Old Bond Street. Resplendent in the house’s signature shades of blue, white and orange, the furnishings and decorations have been chosen to represent locations close to De Beers’ heart. The boutique is designed to foster connections between clients and Brand Ambassadors, with a combination of open-plan space to explore the collections and intimate private areas. A bespoke lighting system was developed to showcase the fire, life and brilliance of each De Beers diamond.
The Board of Directors of HRD Antwerp, a subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), has appointed Paul De Wachter as its new CEO. Bringing over twenty years of experience and a proven track record in the international diamond industry, De Wachter is to take charge as CEO from January 5, 2026. As CEO, he is tasked with strengthening HRD’s position as a reliable partner for the international diamond trade and leading the organisation through a period of significant transformation.
De Wachter began his career in the diamond sector in 2002 and rose to the position of Senior Relationship Manager at the Antwerp Diamond Bank. After a brief period at Channel Capital Advisors in a similar role, he joined the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF), where he has been active for more than seven years. He started there as He ad of the Antwerp Representative Office, focusing on building a strong local client portfolio. Since 2020, he has served as Head of the Diamond Unit, where he expanded the bank’s brand and significantly strengthened its market position.
“With his extensive experience in the international diamond industry, his strong and relevant network, and the concrete results he has achieved as Head of the Diamond Unit at NBF, Paul convinced the Board that he is the right person to lead HRD Antwerp into the future,” says Bart De Hantsetters, on behalf of the Board of Directors.
“I am very much looking forward to taking on this new challenge at HRD Antwerp, especially at a time when the international diamond industry is facing major challenges — from shifting consumer expectations to the emergence of lab-grown diamonds. I am honoured by the trust the Board of Directors of HRD Antwerp has placed in me and am deeply committed to strengthening HRD’s role as a trusted partner to the industry,” says Paul De Wachter.
HRD Antwerp is Europe’s leading authority in diamond grading, jewellery grading, and education. HRD Antwerp draws upon 575 years of experience passed down through Antwerp’s diamond trade and strive for perfection by delivering the highest quality in all our products and services. In 2012, HRD Antwerp opened a diamond grading laboratory in Mumbai to serve local and international demand for diamond certification. This marked the company’s entry into India’s certification landscape. By 2018, HRD Antwerp expanded to offer Jewellery Certification in India, reflecting a broader certification portfolio beyond diamonds alone. HRD India, maintains its headquarters in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) with a dedicated diamond grading lab. The organization extends its jewellery grading labs and drop-off points for diamonds to key diamond & jewellery hubs including Mumbai’s Mega CFC in SEEPZ, Surat, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata,and Hyderabad.
-
BrandBuzz2 weeks agoDiAi Designs Unveils a Festive-Season Drop with Non-Flip LiteString™ Tennis and Cushion Diamond Collections
-
National News2 weeks agoChennai Wholesale Jewellers Association (CWJA) Formally Launched
-
New Premises2 weeks agoKalyan Jewellers Expands Presence in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack with a Grand Launch by Akshay Kumar
-
National News2 weeks agoBhima Gold Announces “Bhima Brilliance Diamond Jewellery Festival”- A Diamond Campaign to Capitalise on Festive NRI Footfall
JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.