A Sparkling Piece of the City

You’ll be able to say “I do” know all about diamonds after visiting this Jewel in the Bo-Kaap

Say “Cape Town”, and visitors and locals alike imagine crystal skies, pristine views, a sparkling ocean, and rare adventures in an immaculate setting. Of course, it’s more than that. And less. Less traffic than most other cities, more to do than you can fit into your leisure time.

But imagine if you could keep a piece of it with you wherever you went – a piece of Africa, per se? If you’re talking pristine, sparkling, rare, you’re also talking about diamonds, and they’re easy to source in the city of pretty.

A Multi-Faceted Experience

From the moment you open the lofty doors to Jewel Africa, you’re in good company. It’s a treasure chest full of loose diamonds, tanzanite and gemstones. Essentially Jewel Africa is a fine jewellery manufacturer (you can watch them at work through large glass windows) that offers ready-made jewellery at a wide range of prices. They also do complimentary diamond tours that reveal the depths and heights of precious stones.

The showroom sparkles with a large range of colourful gems and you'll even find the typically South African Tiger's Eye stones and bracelets made of elephant hair. You can look and learn, choose a Springbok skin handbag and pick some safari clothing to go with a personalised piece of jewellery made up for you right there. No pressure!

Intriguing diamond tours

Be warned that you won’t escape a tour without being charmed. Given in all languages and adeptly overseen by Master Cutter Richard Alston, you’re immersed in one man’s insights into much more than diamond cutting, polishing and grading. Richard has more than 40 years experience with diamonds (and a warmth that’d make him a marvelous talk radio Deejay). Although he’s easy to understand, expect to be surprised.

Did you know that it takes a diamond to cut a diamond? Richard will show you how, and you’ll sit there thinking ‘wow!’ He’s a rare gem, but - luckily for you - not quite as rare as a red diamond. He’s seen only one in his whole career. And will tell you about that, too, if you give him a chance!

Good to know:

• Jewel Africa is open 09h00- 19h30 so you can pop in whenever it suits you

• Good for intimate or large groups (1-200 people)

• Tours are offered in all language, in layman's terms, by an expert

• They offer a complimentary door-to-door shuttle service. Don’t lift a finger unless it’s to try on a ring!

• Everyone is connected with free wireless internet and the coffee is on the house

• Fancy a glass of bubbly? You might well find one waiting for you when you visit!

• Don’t assume it’s expensive. Prices range from R50.

• They’ve got direct access to De Beers’ catalogue – Jewel Africa is one of only 15 site holders in the country and 90 in the world, ensuring competitive prices.

• Jewel Africa also offers tanzanite (Tanzania), Tiger's eye (South Africa) and elephant tail hair (China) pieces, as well as beaded jewellery, Springbok skin bags, African gourds, Kisii stoneware with African prints, lighting and decor items, mats, scarves, safari clothing, frames, horn and bone jewellery.

For exciting adventures and Cape Town's hidden secrets visit our To Do section.

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