Known as the “Square Mile,” Antwerp’s Diamond District has been the global heart of the diamond trade for centuries. It was here in the 15th century that Lodewyk Van Berken perfected a revolutionary diamond-polishing technique, putting Antwerp firmly on the map as the world’s leading center for diamond craftsmanship. Even today, countless diamantaires and cutters work here, keeping the district a vital engine for both Antwerp’s and the international economy.
But the Diamond District also carries a notorious story. On February 15, 2003, one of the biggest jewel heists in history took place. Leonardo Notarbartolo, an Italian master thief, led a team with nicknames like ‘Speedy,’ ‘The Genius,’ and ‘The Monster.’ Their target: the heavily secured vaults of the Antwerp Diamond Centre.
The gang managed to steal over one hundred million dollars’ worth of diamonds, gold, and other valuables. No alarms were triggered and no police chase followed. Their downfall? A half-eaten sandwich and cell phone records, which led police straight to them. Four members were arrested, but one, known as “The King of Keys,” was never caught. Neither was the hundred million dollars they stole.
Sources. Story: Source Story: Photos: Source Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
