When I think of Africa and jewellery in the same sentence I can’t help but think of South African diamonds. They are perhaps the most famous association with jewellery that people all over the world will recognise. The other association being, the name De Beers which has been inseparably linked with South African diamonds for decades. Cecil Rhodes founded the De Beers diamond mining company in 1888, in the town of Kimberley. It is named after the owners of the farm there and so the birth of diamond mining in South Africa began. This development also made sure that diamonds and African jewellery were put firmly on the international map.

By the end of the next year, Cecil Rhodes, and the De Beers Mining Company
had the diamond industry in South Africa under his control. This meant that supply and profit could be controlled. However, this was not to last and competition came in the form of Ernest Oppenheimer. At this stage new diamond mines were discovered and Ernest Oppenheimer under the guise of the Consolidated Diamond Mines became the leader in diamond production.

The diamond gemstone that we all know and love is made up of carbon compounds that have crystallised under extreme pressure and heat. The diamonds mined in Kimberley are known as primary diamonds as they were formed in that location millions of years ago. De Beers have continued to be a force in the African diamond market and jewellery and gemstones from Africa will continue to be a popular choice.