The CEO talks
Hong Kong: where old meets new!
Times are challenging in the diamond industry. We feel how many traders struggle to make sense of the current trade. Is it simply a correction on a too-enthusiastic buying spree at the beginning of the year or is something more fundamental changing the market? As always, it’s never a black-and-white answer and time will tell. But the eyes of the industry will be fully focused in the coming week on Hong Kong, the biggest trading event of the year in the “fragrant harbor”. Let’s see if this magical place revives the taste for diamonds and jewellery.
For HRD Antwerp, it has been a while since we set foot in Asia. Our company refocused on its business in Antwerp and India, took time to clean house in Turkey, and restructured its organization to make itself more profitable and competitive. Today the time was right to come back to the heart of the trade and show that HRD Antwerp has adapted itself to a leaner and more agile grading lab.
Get more out of your certificate!
Despite the turmoil in the industry and the growing disruption of the market by LGD, we only see opportunities. It gave us the taste of change and made us rethink the use and the value of certification. We believe that a certification lab can do so much more than just be a grader. A certification will evolve from a description to a tool of power for the consumer. New generations demand insight, understanding, and information on the products they buy. They celebrate innovation and reward creativity more than ever before. The value of a diamond is no longer found in its rarity but in its story. Symbolism made place for real personal stories and convictions. As an industry, we need to adapt to this disruptive shift and new value set.
We just have to ask ourselves one question: Are we still relevant in helping fulfill the needs of our end-customer? The answer will decide your place in the future of diamonds.
Hong Kong for us is a new milestone. In the coming months, we will be opening new representation offices, launching new services and we will be reconnecting with our alumni, former and new clients and present our new vision to the industry. For the first time, we will create an eco-system from trader to customer. Big plans and we are excited to bring them to you and to start re-inventing the certificate.
So let’s meet in Hong Kong. I’m happy to discuss the future of our industry and who knows…. maybe our journeys match and we find a path to making our industry more relevant together!
Ellen Joncheere
CEO HRD Antwerp
