Southeast Asia's oldest english-language trade journal on the international gems and jewellery community
19 Jan 2026
Globally benchmarked diamond, gemmology and jewellery education now accessible to India’s industry professionals
HRD Antwerp has officially introduced its internationally recognised education programmes in diamond grading, gemmology and jewellery studies to India, marking a significant expansion into one of the world’s most influential diamond and jewellery hubs. The programmes were formally launched in Mumbai on January 13, 2026.
The inauguration event reflected strong institutional and industry backing, with the presence of Frank Geerkens, Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, and Mehul N. Shah, Vice President of the Bharat Diamond Bourse. Their participation highlighted the deep-rooted collaboration between India and Belgium within the global diamond trade.
The launch also marked the first official visit to India by HRD Antwerp’s CEO, Paul De Wachter. He was joined by Stanley De Belie, Chief Operating Officer, and Philip Baeten, Chief Financial Officer, underlining the strategic importance of the Indian market to HRD Antwerp’s global education vision.
Representing HRD Antwerp’s India operations were Ramakant Mitkar, Managing Director; Chandrakant Narkar, Sales Director; and Anand Gusani, Global Education Manager, who will oversee the rollout and expansion of the education programmes across the country.
The courses will be delivered at HRD Antwerp’s Mumbai facility, offering India-based students and professionals direct access to internationally benchmarked training. The curriculum spans diamond grading and identification, gemmology, gemstone treatments, small diamond specialisation, lab-grown diamonds, and jewellery market knowledge, catering to retailers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
Speaking at the launch, Paul De Wachter emphasised India’s pivotal role in the global industry, stating, “India plays a central role in the global diamond and jewellery industry. By introducing HRD Antwerp’s education programmes in India, we aim to support the development of skilled professionals who meet the highest international standards.”
Mehul N. Shah echoed the sentiment, noting that access to structured and globally aligned education would contribute significantly to raising professional standards and supporting the long-term growth of India’s diamond and jewellery sector.