Arslanian Group has one of the oldest pedigrees in the international diamond sector. Its origins go back to 1950 when the first generation of the Arslanian family ventured into the rough diamond business. After a successful start, Arslanian Frères’ head-office was moved to Antwerp in 1961, from where the company developed into one of the leading rough diamond trading offices worldwide. As such, the company has recently celebrated the sixtieth birthday of its presence in Antwerp. Built in 1990, the eponymous Arslanian Building, the largest commercial complex in the world’s diamond capital, is still testimony to this deep-rooted association with the Antwerp trading centre.

The next phase of growth was fuelled by the second generation of the Arslanian family, which further consolidated its rough trading business through a number of important ventures in Russia and Angola under the Arslanian Frères banner. In both of these important mining countries, the company invariably ranked as a strategic customer. At the same time, the second generation became active in the US, where the Arslanian name became synonymous for high-end and exceptional polished diamonds.

Today’s Arslanian Group, a new company founded in 2013, is built on the foundations and the legacy of the preceding generations. Managed by three brothers of the third Arslanian generation, the pace of evolution continues at a steady pace. New offices were opened in Dubai and Hong Kong, with the Antwerp office serving as global headquarters. In Angola, Arslanian Group entered a strategic partnership with Sodiam to operate Angola Polished Diamonds, the oldest and largest manufacturing operation in Angola. For manufacturing, the Group relies on its ready access to Armenian craftsmen, rated the best of the world. And with its unrivalled access to of the rough diamond market, Arslanian has ventured even further in the field of exceptional polished diamonds. With one of the youngest management teams in the diamond business for a company of its size, Arslanian Group is acutely conscious of the shifting paradigms in the diamond business. Sustainablility, traceability and overall corporate social responsibility are recognized as vital vectors for the company’s future and fully embraced in the company’s ‘The Future of Diamonds’ long range planning.

One of the first companies to apply for Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Certification, Arslanian Group has also adopted the Alrosa Alliance Guidelines and has been instrumental in building the newly founded Angola Diamond Manufacturing Association. Conscious of their own responsibility in steering the international diamond business, Arslanian Group management has also taken up Board functions at the World Diamond Council and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre to help shape the global future of the diamond business. New commercial ventures are on the way to further expand and consolidate the Group’s business, and plans are drawn up for the creation of the Arslanian Foundation. The Foundation aims to continue and consolidate the family’s historical and extensive contributions to international education- and relief-causes. A strong history background, a wealth of accumulated expertise, a deep understanding of the dynamics of the diamond business and the energy of a young management team are the main drivers of the successful business model behind the company.

At Arslanian Group, the ‘Future of Diamonds’ is already well under way