Every great city has its jewels in one form or another, but in Amsterdam you can see the real thing. The capital of the Netherlands has long been a center of European trade, with luxury goods a specialty, and since Renaissance times its jewelers have been famed for their exquisite work with the world’s most precious stones. Today the highlight of any trip to the city has to be a tour of its magnificent diamond museum and a look at some of the treasures now being produced in the jewelry workshops of Amsterdam.

Even if you have seen impressive precious stones in collections before, the Diamond Museum will have something to astound you. Its collection includes some of the most famous diamonds in the world, including the legendary ape skull, the Katana and the Rembrandt Diamond. There’s also an educational section where you can learn about how diamonds were formed, and there’s the option of joining a workshop where you can learn how they are cut and polished, even working on one yourself. Located on Paulus Potterstraat right beside the Rijksmuseum, the museum is close to some of the city’s most attractive luxury rentals and most celebrated restaurants.

As well as visiting the official museum, diamond lovers in Amsterdam should consider the tours offered by its most famous jewelers. At Gassan Diamonds you can see some of the amazing, unexpected colors diamonds come in and can try on incredible jewelry. At Coster Diamonds you can learn about different cuts and see jewelry made for the royal families of Europe. Zazare Diamonds, meanwhile, combines tours of its treasures with the option of getting personal advice of what to choose for special occasions.

Whether you’re just a window shopper of you’re seeking a little sparkle of your own, exploring Amsterdam’s diamond heritage is a delight.