History
Monnickendam Diamonds is one of the oldest and largest sellers of polished diamonds in the UK.
Scroll down to view our history in brief
1890
The company of Monnickendam was founded by Louis Monnickendam in Amsterdam.
1914
Louis Monnickendam and his son Albert Monnickendam move the business to the United Kingdom and establish its head office in Hatton Garden, London.
1920
Monnickendam begin hiring injured veterans from The Great War forming an integral part of their employment policy.
1929
Monnickendam develops a close relationship with the newly formed De Beers Diamond Trading Company, becoming part of the first group of companies in the world to be invited to become a “sight-holder.”
1940
Monnickendam relocates to Bangor, in North Wales, setting up wartime factories to escape the shelling of London. Hiring 60 diamond cutters and polishers from the local area around Bangor.
1945
Monnickendam increases production capacity, by hiring a further 120 diamond cutters for their manufacturing facility in Portslade, Sussex.
1948
Monnickendam is entrusted to cut and polish a pair of emerald-cut diamonds from a rough diamond given to H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth as wedding gift by the Tanganyika Government.
1951
Monnickendam move to the iconic Medina House in Hove, Sussex.
1966
Monnickendam is awarded The Queen’s Award for Industry for export achievement.
1980's
Factories in Thailand and Mauritius are opened to cut and polish smaller stones.
1990's
Cutting and polishing facilities re-locate from Hove to London for larger diamonds.
2009
Monnickendam cut and polish 7.03ct Fancy Vivid Blue, Internally Flawless Diamond on behalf of Petra Diamonds, achieving the then highest price per carat ever paid for a diamond.
Photograph: courtesy of Petra Diamonds Limited
2011
Monnickendam invest in their first Sarine machine, to assist in the planning of cutting diamonds.
2019
Monnickendam Diamonds Ltd receives certified status by the Responsible Jewellery Council.
