If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind diamond creation, The Diamond Works is the jewellery stop for you. We caught up with Aimee Lentz, brand manager for The Diamond Works, to learn more about the luxurious brand and those costly precious stones.
How do The Diamond Works go about selecting the perfect stones?
Each one of our stones has been through a vigorous selection process performed by our GIA accredited gemologist, Mark Gieljoumie. Exceeding 23 years of expertise in the jewellery industry, Mark has earned a connoisseurs’ eye for grading diamonds. Any stone that does not exceed premium quality does not make it on to the portfolio. The process of selecting the perfect stone, as laid out by Mark, is a simple one. He is only looking for one thing: beauty. The beauty of a stone is a direct translation to both quality and salability. We are also looking to provide all clients with the best quality at the best price, with very good to excellent proportions and little to no fluorescence.
Kelly Clarkson, David Beckham and Charlize Theron are a few of the big names who have had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of behind the scenes magic at The Diamond Works. What can people expect on these Sparkling Tours?
The Diamond Works is Cape Town’s finest jewelry experience. Established in October 2001, the idea was to create a jewellery destination whereby visitors could learn about the art of diamond and tanzanite cutting, witness the make-up of jewellery pieces and purchase the finished product. Although Diamond Works is a jewellery store, we pride ourselves on offering a complete diamond and tanzanite experience.
Guests are greeted with a glass of bubbly and taken on an informative tour that takes about 20 minutes. The tour starts with a fully operational diamond cutting work shop, staffed by diamond cutters from previously disadvantaged communities, all of whom are graduates from the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Cutting School in Johannesburg. This is followed by the tanzanite cutting workshop where guests can witness, first-hand the refinement of tanzanite stones. At our Windhoek and Cape Town stores guests can then experience the jewelry manufacturing workshop where one can see the goldsmiths at work. Historical info is available on the diamond and gold mining industry as well as interesting facts about the diamonds of the world.
The introduction of an interactive touch screen allows guests to engage with the journey the stones undergo from mine to store. Our tanzanite boutique displays a large selection of exquisite but rare violet and blue stones. Showcases of beautifully crafted pieces adorn the showroom along with loose stones, should a personal design be preferred.
The Diamond Works has a love for Tanzanite stones, which are rarer than diamonds, too. Besides its exclusivity, what else is there to be enamoured with?
Tanzanite is considered 1000 times rarer than diamonds. Only one mine in the world produces these exceptional stones, found under the sweeping grasslands of the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa.
This unmatched stone gathers its creditability from the unique multidimensional colour it expels. When it has been cut and polished, tanzanite radiates a dazzling kaleidoscope of royal blue, violet, indigo, lilac and periwinkle. Tanzanite’s variety of hues give it a broad appeal. Its delicate lilac and light blue shades are universally flattering, whilst the deeper, more intense colours with the greatest fire and brilliance are exceptionally rare, and typically command higher prices.
Tanzanite was undiscovered by man until 1967, when, so the story goes, a Maasai tribesman stumbled upon shimmering blue crystals on the ground. Fascinated by their colour, the tribesman shared his find with a Portuguese prospector who was looking for rubies in the region. Although they initially believed their new find to be a vibrant sapphire, gemmological tests soon revealed that the crystals were something entirely new, with an alluring and spectacular colour that was all their own.
Besides being a girl’s best friend and the symbol for enduring love, what are the other mythical properties of a diamond?
It is widely known that diamonds are the most popular gemstones, outselling all other gemstones combined.
While it represents many great characteristics, such as everlasting love and commitment, for thousands of years it has been believed to possess mythical qualities and meanings. Diamonds are seen as crystals of light that emit a high energy frequency. In many holistic spiritual practices, it is a symbol of illumination and perfection. It is believed to entrance inner vision, stimulate creativity, imagination and ingenuity, while opening the mind to the “new” and “possible”.
In addition to its spiritual power, diamond has been known for millennia as the “stone of invincibility”, bringing victory, superior strength, fortitude and courage to its bearer. Diamond is a symbol of abundance, an amplifier of energies, goals and intent, and is highly effective in crystal healing. Diamonds are believed to be particularly beneficial when set in gold and worn on the left arm.
The Diamond, in its rarity and beauty is a symbol of purity and innocence, love and fidelity, and embraces strength of character, ethics and faithfulness to oneself and others.
What is the latest diamond trend for those who aren’t looking to be engaged or married?
2015 Diamond Trends excluding engagement rings are:
– Stack rings
– Coloured diamonds set in creative designs/as bold statement pieces
– Vintage inspired designs
– Statement neck pieces
Photography Courtesy