Antwerp is the global center for diamond trading and processing. The diamond market in Antwerp has a long history dating back to the 16th century and has grown to become the largest diamond market in the world. The city is home to over 1,500 diamond companies, including diamond dealers, cutters, polishers, and traders. These companies employ around 30,000 people and handle over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and 50% of the world’s cut diamonds. Antwerp’s diamond market is also known for its high standards of quality, transparency, and security, making it a preferred destination for diamond traders and manufacturers from all over the world.

1.    Russia

Russia ranks number 1 on the list of the top 10 diamond producing countries in the world as of 2020. Russia produces 23,000,000 carats of gem-quality diamonds in the world, making the nation the leading nation among the top producers of diamonds in the world. Russia has been the major-diamond producing country since 2009 and diamonds have been found in Russia as far back as the 18th century. Where do most diamonds come from? Currently, Russia produces 30% of the world’s diamonds.

  • Russia Diamond Production: 23,000,000 carats

2. Botswana

Botswana — officially the Republic of Botswana — is a landlocked country in Southern Afric. Botswana is the second-largest producer of diamonds in the world in 2020. Botswana was a pioneer nation in bulk sampling and was one of the first countries to characterize and identify diamond pipes across a large and difficult geographic area. In 1966, the first diamond deposits were discovered in Botswana. Botswana diamond production grew by 6% last year, the fastest growth rate among the top 10 diamond producing countries in the world.

  • Botswana Diamond Production: 16,000,000 carats
  • Major Diamond Companies in Botswana: De Beers (Debswana), Petra Diamonds, Lucara Diamonds, Gem Diamonds, and Firestone Diamonds.

3. Canada

When it comes to diamond production, you wouldn’t think Canada would rank near the top of major diamond producing countries. Canada is the biggest surprise on this list and ranks 3rd among the top 10 diamond producing countries in the world in 2020. Currently, the youngest diamond producing country on this list, geologists discovered diamond deposits in the Arctic area and now Canada has become a leading diamond producing country. Canada has major diamond mines located in Diavik, Ekati, and Gahcho Kué in the North West Territories, the Renard mine in Quebec, and the Victor mine in Ontario ran leading diamond companies such as Rio Tinto, Dominion Diamond, De Beers, and Stornoway Diamonds.

  • Canada Diamond Prodcution: 13,000,000 carats

4. Angola

Angola is an African country rich in diamonds, known for its extensive diamonds reserves and in 2018 produced 8,500,000 carats of gem-quality diamonds in the world. Diamond production in Angola began when it was a Portuguese colony over 100 years ago. Angola is especially known for its Lulo Mine, owned by Lucapa Diamond Company. Angola’s major resources are diamonds and oil.

  • Angola Diamond Production: 8,500,000 carats
  • Major Diamond Companies in Angola: Alrosa (Catoca), De Beers, and Lucapa.

5. South Africa

The modern diamond industry pretty much starts with South Africa. Prior tom South Africa entering diamond production, the commodity was truly a rare gem, but South Africa made it mainstream. Currently, South Africa produces 7,700,000 carats of diamonds per year and is home to lucrative and highly-sought-after pink and blue diamonds. Although the pioneer of diamond production, currently South Africa’s diamond mines have aged and very few large deposits are found today. Still, South Africa continues producing diamonds from alluvial deposits and pipes within the country.

  • South Africa Diamond Production: 7,700,000 carats

6. The Democratic Republic of the Congo

DR Congo is the nation that made diamond-producing profitable for South Africa. DR Congo produces 3,700,000 carats of diamonds today. In addition to diamonds, DR Congo is also known as a leading producer of cobalt, copper, tantalum, tin, and gold.

  • DR Congo Diamond Production: 3,700,000 carats