Most of the diamonds entering Europe originated in India. In the later half of the 14th century, the diamond trade route extended from India to Bruges, Paris and eventually to the Diamond Bourses of Antwerp, Belgium. After Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias' 1488 discovery of the 'Cape of Good Hope' on Africa's southern most tip, fellow Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama discovered a sea route to the India and Orient by sailing around the Cape in 1498. This provided Europeans with an easier route to the Indian diamond trade, avoiding the costly and dangerous 'Silk Road' caravan routes.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The 'Valley of Diamonds'
Most of the diamonds entering Europe originated in India. In the later half of the 14th century, the diamond trade route extended from India to Bruges, Paris and eventually to the Diamond Bourses of Antwerp, Belgium. After Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias' 1488 discovery of the 'Cape of Good Hope' on Africa's southern most tip, fellow Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama discovered a sea route to the India and Orient by sailing around the Cape in 1498. This provided Europeans with an easier route to the Indian diamond trade, avoiding the costly and dangerous 'Silk Road' caravan routes.
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