In the heart of South Africa lies a treasure trove that has captured the world’s imagination for centuries – diamonds. Beyond their dazzling brilliance, these precious gems hold a profound heritage deeply rooted in the country’s history and identity.

The history of diamonds in South Africa

According to the Cape Town Diamond Museum, the history and heritage of diamonds in South Africa began “between December 1866 and February 1867 when 15-year-old Erasmus Jacobs found a transparent rock on his father’s farm, on the south bank of the Orange River. Over the next few years, South Africa yielded more diamonds than India had in over 2,000 years.” According to statistics website, Statista, “In 2022, South Africa’s diamond production amounted to 9.6 million carats.”

Did you know?

-The largest diamond ever discovered was the Cullinan Diamond (3 106 carats). It was found in 1905 at the Cullinan Mine, near Pretoria.

Buying bling? Understand the 4 Cs of Diamonds

Cut: A diamond’s cut—its shape and facets—is what makes it sparkle. The more faceted the cut, the greater the sparkle.

Colour: Diamonds come in many colours and are categorised as either white—essentially colourless—or fancy. These variations make a major difference in diamond quality and price. Depending on the hue and intensity, a stone’s colour can either diminish or enhance its value.

Clarity: The clarity measures the purity of the diamond and the presence (or absence) of tiny flaws. The less flaws that a diamond has (i.e. the clearer it is) the more brilliant and valuable it becomes.

Carats: A diamond’s mass, or weight, is measured in carats. The price per carat increases according to a diamond’s size since large stones are rarer.

5 interesting facts about diamonds

1. A diamond is one of the hardest natural substances on earth. Diamonds are considered to be one of hardest natural materials known to man; according to researchers a diamond is up to 58 times harder than anything you will find in nature. Therefore, the only object or piece of equipment that would be able to cut through a diamond would be another diamond.
2. Not all diamonds are white in colour. Extremely rare diamonds come in different shades of red, blue, pink, yellow, brown, black, orange and green.
3. A diamond loses up to 50% of its weight during the cutting and polishing process. In order for a rough diamond to reach its full potential it will undergo a cutting and polishing process, during which the diamond will lose up to 50% of its original rough carat weight on average. The trade off? A diamond cut to perfect proportion and symmetry will display the ultimate combination of fire, brilliance and scintillation.
4. Diamonds weren’t always mined. Today, the majority of diamonds on the market are mined underground or undersea using heavy machinery and high-tech equipment. However, before diamonds were mined below the earth’s surface they were found by miners alongside or at the bottom of rivers. This type of mining activity is known as alluvial mining.
5. There are diamonds in space. Scientists revealed that there are white dwarf stars in space that each contain a diamond core. But what’s even more fascinating is that the largest diamond in the universe weighs a whopping 2.27 thousand trillion tons and holds up to 10 billion carats in weight.

Source: Cape Town Diamond Museum

At Cash Converters, we have everything from necklaces, bracelets and earrings to engagement rings and wedding rings. Our items range from 9ct white gold, yellow gold, diamond, silver and pearl rings to pendants, chains, watches and more. Plus, when you buy higher value items from us, you are given a valuation certificate by our Gemologist.

To browse our jewellery online, click here.

Follow us on Facebook