“It took me years to create the perfect star”

 

Antwerp

 

Diamond cutter Pieter Bombeke is a maverick in a conservative industry. Passion drove this craftsman to experiment with new types of cuts for diamonds. After years of trying, he finally succeeded in cutting the perfect Mercedes star in a round cut diamond. “It is fabulous so we contacted Mr. Bombeke,” says Mercedes-Benz Belgium. “Maybe this could turn into a partnership,” Pieter wishes.

 

Filip Marsboom

 

Pieter Bombeke has earned his marks in the diamond industry. Until five years ago he worked as a cutter in Germany. “Eventually I returned to Antwerp and started my own company called Maverick Gems Antwerp,” says Pieter. The 54 year old Antwerp citizen is a true maverick. “The diamond industry works with a small number of classical cuts,” he explains. “For decades cutters have been using these cuts all over the world.” So when you come up with something new, it is immediately noticed.”

 

MERCEDES STAR

 

The Mercedes star Pieter cut in a round, small diamond is indeed noticed. “It took me years to cut the perfect star. In 1994 someone asked me if I was able to do something like that. This question got me started. Only this time it did not work. However, relatively soon after that conversation I was able to cut a diamond showing a star. But it was way too thick and did not look anything like the Mercedes star I wanted to create. Only in the year 2000 I restarted my research. This time I was successful. Please note that the three pointed star you see is not cut in or on the stone. It concerns a pure mirror effect. “The result is stunning,” says Helen Van Nuffelen, spokeswoman for Mercedes-Benz Belgium. “When we found out that Pieter Bombeke had created a Mercedes star, we arranged a meeting to interview him for our corporate newsletter. So far we have not made an actual agreement with him.”

 

PATENT

 

“In the meantime I have registered this cut,” says Pieter. “And in cooperation with the HRD Diamond Office I am looking into obtaining a patent. I do realize that the Mercedes logo is a protected brand.” What will happen now with the two diamonds – the round cut and the triangle cut diamonds – with the Mercedes logo cut? “The stones are mine,” Pieter answers. “I do not know what I will do with them.”

“As long as Mr. Bombeke does not have any commercial intentions with the stones, we do not have any problem,” says Mercedes.

Translation © M. Vijt
miavijt@telenet.be