Coster Diamonds
Historic Amsterdam diamond-polishing factory and visitor attraction.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Coster Diamonds is a historic diamond-polishing company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Established in 1840 by diamond cutter Moses Elias Coster, it developed from a workshop serving Amsterdam's diamond trade into a specialist enterprise associated with diamond cutting, polishing, jewelry, and public education about diamonds. The company is particularly known for its long history and for work on prominent stones, including the Koh-i-Noor and the Dresden Green Diamond. The business began at a factory building near Waterlooplein in Amsterdam. In the nineteenth century, Amsterdam was one of Europe's principal centers for diamond cutting, and Coster Diamonds operated within that specialized manufacturing ecosystem. In 1848, Moses Elias Coster's son, Meijer Moses Coster, also known as Martin, succeeded him. Martin later moved to Paris in connection with new business activities. The company subsequently passed through different ownership arrangements. In 1910, Felix Theodoor Manus acquired it from one of the Coster heirs, after which it operated as a company until the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1940. Following the Second World War, the company was acquired in 1945 by Wim Biallosterski, who owned a diamond-sawing business. In 1962, Ben Meier acquired the Coster premises together with Max Meents, Joop Schoos, and Simon Cohen. Urban redevelopment later forced another relocation. The original factory site was cleared for construction associated with Amsterdam's Stopera complex, and in 1970 Coster Diamonds moved to Paulus Potterstraat near Museum Square, where the company is based today. Coster expanded beyond its core polishing operation through the acquisition of Van Moppes Diamonds in 1995. The Van Moppes factory was closed in 2005 after a prolonged decline in visitor numbers attributed in the reference material to global events including terrorism and the SARS outbreak in the Far East. The company subsequently reinforced its public-facing role. In 2007, it opened the Diamond Museum Amsterdam, presenting diamond-related objects and historical pieces, and introduced a patented 201-facet round cut known as The Royal 201. The cut was promoted as a highly brilliant design with substantially more facets than a conventional round brilliant. The company's historical reputation is connected to both craftsmanship and notable stones. In 1852, Coster polishers J. A. Feder and Louis Benjamin Voorzanger traveled to London to recut the Koh-i-Noor. Voorzanger later received recognition at the 1855 Paris World Exhibition and was also associated with the Star of the South. In the twentieth century, Ben Meier polished the diamonds used in a white-gold watch presented to Queen Juliana in 1959. From 1991 to 1994, Coster polisher Pauline Willemse worked on an exceptionally small brilliant-cut diamond that was recorded by Guinness World Records. In 2016, King Willem-Alexander granted the company the Dutch honorary designation Koninklijk, after which it adopted the name Royal Coster Diamonds. The designation recognizes organizations regarded as nationally important, established for at least a century, and prominent in their field. Today, Coster Diamonds combines diamond polishing and jewelry-related activities with guided factory visits and exhibitions. Its positioning rests on longevity, Amsterdam's diamond heritage, visible craftsmanship, and access to examples of historically significant diamond work.
History
Coster Diamonds traces its origins to Amsterdam's nineteenth-century diamond-cutting industry. Moses Elias Coster founded the business in 1840 in a factory building at Waterlooplein. At the time, Amsterdam was a major European center for diamond cutting and polishing, and the company's early identity was rooted in skilled processing rather than mass-market jewelry retail. In 1848, Coster's son Meijer Moses Coster, known as Martin, succeeded him. Martin later went to Paris to pursue new business, and ownership subsequently changed hands within and beyond the founding family. In 1910, Felix Theodoor Manus bought the business from one of the Coster heirs. The company continued in corporate form until the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1940, a period that disrupted many Dutch businesses. After the Second World War, Wim Biallosterski acquired Coster Diamonds in 1945. Biallosterski also owned a diamond-sawing company, linking Coster to a wider set of specialist diamond-processing capabilities. In 1962, Ben Meier purchased the Coster premises in partnership with Max Meents, Joop Schoos, and Simon Cohen. Meier is also associated with later notable work for the company, including the polishing of diamonds set into a white-gold watch presented to Queen Juliana in 1959. The company's original location did not remain available indefinitely. Amsterdam's redevelopment plans required the Waterlooplein factory site for construction associated with the Stopera. In 1970, Coster Diamonds moved to Paulus Potterstraat near the Museumplein, a location that placed the business close to several of Amsterdam's leading cultural institutions and helped support a visitor-oriented model alongside its manufacturing heritage. Coster's historical profile also reflects the work of individual polishers. In 1852, J. A. Feder and Louis Benjamin Voorzanger traveled to London to recut the Koh-i-Noor. Voorzanger later received a silver medal at the 1855 World Exhibition in Paris and was associated with polishing the Star of the South. The company also records Pauline Willemse's work between 1991 and 1994 on an exceptionally small brilliant-cut diamond, an achievement reported in the Guinness Book of Records. In 1995, Coster Diamonds bought Van Moppes Diamonds. The acquired factory was eventually closed in 2005, when visitor traffic had fallen substantially. The reference material links the decline to international conditions, including terrorism and the SARS outbreak in the Far East. Rather than remaining solely a manufacturing site, Coster increasingly presented diamond knowledge and craftsmanship to the public. The Diamond Museum Amsterdam opened in 2007, and the company introduced The Royal 201, a patented round cut with 201 facets. A further institutional milestone came in 2016, when King Willem-Alexander granted Coster Diamonds the honorary Dutch designation Koninklijk. The title is reserved for organizations that meet criteria involving longevity, national importance, and prominence in their sector. The company consequently became Royal Coster Diamonds. Its current identity combines an exceptionally long Amsterdam history, diamond polishing and jewelry activities, guided visitor experiences, and the interpretation of famous diamonds and diamond craftsmanship.
- 2016
The company becomes Royal Coster Diamonds
[1]King Willem-Alexander grants the organization the honorary designation Koninklijk.
- 2007
Diamond Museum Amsterdam opens
[1]The company opens a museum devoted to diamond artifacts and public education.
- 2007
The Royal 201 is introduced
[1]Coster launches a patented 201-facet round diamond cut.
- 1995
Van Moppes Diamonds is acquired
[1]Coster expands its operations by purchasing Van Moppes Diamonds.
- 1970
Relocation to Museum Square
[1]Coster moves from Waterlooplein to Paulus Potterstraat after the original site is needed for Stopera-related redevelopment.
- 1962
Ben Meier and partners acquire the premises
[1]Ben Meier purchases the Coster premises with Max Meents, Joop Schoos, and Simon Cohen.
- 1945
Postwar acquisition by Wim Biallosterski
[1]Diamond-sawing business owner Wim Biallosterski purchases Coster Diamonds after the Second World War.
- 1910
Felix Theodoor Manus acquires the company
[1]Manus purchases Coster Diamonds from one of the founding family's heirs.
- 1852
Coster polishers recut the Koh-i-Noor
[1]J. A. Feder and Louis Benjamin Voorzanger travel to London to work on the famous diamond.
- 1848
Meijer Moses Coster succeeds his father
[1]Meijer Moses Coster, also known as Martin, takes over the business before later moving to Paris for new commercial activities.
Products and positioning
A heritage-led Amsterdam diamond specialist combining artisanal polishing, jewelry, historical expertise, and tourism-oriented education.
Diamond processing
Polished diamonds
Coster Diamonds' historical core is the cutting and polishing of diamonds. The company presents this work as a specialist craft rooted in Amsterdam's long-standing diamond industry, with factory-based demonstrations helping visitors understand how rough stones are shaped, faceted, and finished.
Jewelry
Diamond jewelry
The brand's visitor-facing commercial offer includes diamond jewelry. This extends Coster's role beyond industrial polishing into finished pieces designed for purchase, while retaining the company's emphasis on diamond expertise, craftsmanship, and Amsterdam heritage.
Diamond cut · 2007
The Royal 201
Introduced in 2007, The Royal 201 is a patented round diamond cut using 201 facets. Coster positioned the design as an especially brilliant alternative to more conventional round cuts and highlighted the additional faceting as part of its visual identity.
Museum and educational experience · 2007
Diamond Museum Amsterdam
Opened in 2007, the Diamond Museum Amsterdam displays diamond artifacts and supports the company's educational and tourism activities. It complements factory tours by placing diamond craftsmanship and notable stones in a broader historical context.
Brand decisions
2016
Adoption of the Royal designationStrategyBackground
The company qualified for the Dutch honorary designation based on its longevity, national importance, and standing in its field.
Action taken
Following the designation Koninklijk, the company adopted the name Royal Coster Diamonds.
Aftermath
The title reinforced the brand's heritage-based positioning and association with Dutch national history.
2007
Launch of The Royal 201 diamond cutProduct launchBackground
Coster sought to distinguish its technical and design expertise with a new round brilliant format.
Action taken
The company introduced a patented round cut with 201 facets.
Aftermath
The Royal 201 became one of the brand's signature technical offerings and a feature of its public presentation.
1995
Acquisition of Van Moppes DiamondsM&ABackground
Coster sought to expand its position in Amsterdam's diamond industry through the purchase of another established diamond business.
Action taken
Coster Diamonds acquired Van Moppes Diamonds.
Aftermath
The Van Moppes factory was later closed in 2005 after visitor numbers declined.
1970
Relocation from Waterlooplein to Paulus PotterstraatStrategyBackground
The original factory site was required for Amsterdam redevelopment associated with the Stopera.
Action taken
Coster Diamonds moved its operations to Paulus Potterstraat near Museum Square.
Aftermath
The relocation established the company's present historic visitor setting near Amsterdam's major museums.
Sources2 sources
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