Five Antwerp-based diamond companies launched their innovations in 2024

Elliot & Ostrich creates expressive jewellery that tells a personal story. The company wanted to make its design and production process more scalable. Creating jewellery with hundreds of possible combinations makes the process complex and time consuming.

Elliot & Ostrich’s ambition is to grow and continue to provide a unique customer experience. They explored the possibilities of AI to automate the personalised design workflow. This requires significant investment. Alternative solutions, such as an online 2D configurator, also offer scalable options for customised designs.

“Participating in the programme helped us to envision the next phase of our growth story, where personal experience and advanced technology go hand in hand.”

Dediam, a trusted diamond wholesaler, wanted to know how it could differentiate itself from the competition to ensure its continued growth.

The project started with an innovation scan to identify potential growth areas. The team conducted in-depth interviews with five customers from the international jewellery and goldsmith sector to gain insight into their value proposition and to uncover unmet market needs.

Armed with this understanding, Dediam is brainstorming innovative solutions to enhance its business offering to customers worldwide.

"We have learned a lot through open communication and customer engagement. A third party helps to uncover hidden weaknesses and opportunities. These insights will refine our international strategy and tactics”.

Antwerp Polishing Technologies specialises in diamond polishing works and innovative services for precision techniques.

The company wanted to improve existing tools and redesign a tang to speed up the polishing process. A compliant mechanism was developed that maintains parallel descent with only one component. This redesign eliminates the risks associated with new polishing techniques.

"It is very beneficial to work closely with experts from outside the diamond industry. It stimulates out-of-the-box solutions that can be further developed".

Daems Group, a fully automated jewellery manufacturer, is committed to sustainable practices in the jewellery industry.

The company was faced with an inefficient recovery of gold from rinse water.

The engineering team did research and proposed the use of hydrocyclones, which use centrifugal force to separate particles in a liquid suspension based on size, shape and density. This recirculating system aims to recover the gold residue more efficiently.

"The Daems Group is committed to key sustainability objectives. We continue to invest in innovations that have a positive impact on our planet”.

Zlayet & Sons is a diamond and online jewellery company. Looking for new business opportunities, the team started with an innovation scan.

A key hotspot in customer experience and marketing was identified: differentiating while maintaining competitive pricing. A co-creative strategic branding workshop explored how to differentiate. Key brand characteristics were mapped and the consumer archetype that fits Zlayet & Sons was identified. The company’s brand DNA was integrated into the new website.

"The journey helped us to formulate a clear brand identity and go-to-market strategy. Today, we know exactly who to target with the new jewellery brand we are about to launch".