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Bosschaerts - Persyn Genealogy - Historical notes

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Historical notes

Diamant, a shining core point of Nijlen

Why do, after 1900, most people of Nijlen have the occupation of diamond-cutter or diamond-worker?

In the 19th century Nijlen had an agricultural character, but in 1876 Jan Eduard Claes, from Borgerhout near to Antwerp, started as a diamond worker in Nijlen. He built on the ‘Kesselse Steenweg’ (Road to Kessel) the first diamond-polishing factory with 16 mills. In 1890 the brothers Quadens also built a factory, with employment for 20 people. The expansion wave of the diamond industry started in 1902, and in 1914 Nijlen counted 14 diamond-polishing factories. The First World War interrupted the Belgian activity. Between 1918 and 1930 the Belgian diamond industry knew its largest development and bloom. The electrification from the city of Antwerp started seriously in 1885; and finally in 1928 Nijlen was also supplied with electricity. Before the mills were driven with hand- or horsepower (however not in Nijlen) and after that came the steam engines (around 1865 in Antwerp). With the electric mills the occupation of diamond-workers was practiced in family-groups: a lot of families then counted three or more diamond workers. In the 30s at least 50 diamond-polishing factories were built, e.g. on the Broechemse Steenweg the factory of Jan Bosschaert (nickname: from Keskes); on the Bouwelse Steenweg was Karel Bosschaerts -Leemans (nickname the 'Krol’). The Second World War interrupted again the extension of the diamond industry in Nijlen.

After 1945 the diamond industry is back at full activity: the municipality list mentions approximately 70 businesses as diamond-polishing factories or 'impeding industry'. In 1967 Nijlen counts 90 medium-sized polishing factories and 113 licenses for small workplaces, or in total 203 diamond workplaces. Each street, each district had several 'fabriekskes' (small factories). The market of the cut diamond appeared insatiable. However from 1960 the diamond industry gradually changed: higher demands were required to practice the occupation, so from 1970 on Nijlen had a decreasing employment.
© Rudi Bosschaerts, 2003
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