Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and Cape Town is the place to buy them. Follow our guide to shopping for the best rocks the city has to offer.

The Four Cs

When you’re shopping for diamonds, the most important thing to remember is the 4Cs – Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat.

If you value the scintillating quality of diamonds, then the Cut should be your main priority. A well cut diamond radiates a lot of brilliance, whilst a poorly cut one looks dull and lifeless.

Clarity is judged by the diamond’s inclusions. Whilst you may not be able to afford a flawless diamond, an inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond will compromise the dispersion of light, making the diamond less brilliant (and less value) so opt for diamonds with subtle inclusions or blemishes.

When it comes to colour, it’s a question of personal taste. While the white diamond is generally the most popular, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink and red are also available. Finally, the bigger the carat weight, the better…and more expensive (one carat is equal to 0.2grams).

Diamond jewellers Shimansky is one of the most prestigious diamond and platinum designers and manufacturers in Cape Town. They are one of the few jewellers that travel to the various diamond mines in South Africa and hand-selects rough diamonds.

According to founder and CEO Yair Shimansky, “It is important to select a colour, cut and style that appeal to you and your tastes. Choose a colour that you like, a cut that delivers the most fire, brilliance and scintillation and a style that suits your lifestyle.”

Apart from the four Cs, there are other points to consider: “Check that the diamond has a certificate from an independent diamond grading laboratory before purchasing, such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). A diamond certificate describes the quality of a particular diamond and lists its specifications. It is also important to obtain a guarantee from your jeweller that the diamonds are conflict-free. Shimansky sources diamonds direct from South African mines that adhere to and “promote ethical mining standards,” says Shimansky. An independent certificate also assures you of the diamond’s authenticity as there are many fake, man-made diamonds on the market today.

The Process

Most reputable diamond specialists will cut and polish their diamonds in house and will have a selection of loose stones to choose from. Shimansky’s in-house jewellery manufacturing workshop can produce a solitaire ring in platinum or 18K gold in as little as 24 hours. More complicated designs can take up to four days to complete.

Shop around before you buy to find the right diamond for you. According to Shimansky, the most popular sizes range from 0.5ct to 1ct and cut and mounting can make a diamond appear larger or smaller than its actual weight. It’s also important to select a jewellery setting that optimizes the beauty of your chosen stone. Warmer hued diamonds pair well with yellow gold whilst white diamonds suit white gold or platinum.

Where to Go

If you stick to one of these reputable diamond jewellers, you can’t go wrong:

Shimansky

Shimansky’s expert staff is on hand to guide you through the whole diamond process. They also offers complimentary diamond tours were you can see first hand how a rough stone is transformed into a dazzling piece of jewellery.

www.shimansky.co.za

Peter Gilder

Established in 1984, the Gilders, run by father and daughter, keep a large selection of both unset diamonds and diamond jewellery in their workshop as well as other precious stones, such as sapphires, emeralds and tanzanite.

www.petergilder.com

Olga

Founded by Olga Goodman, one of South Africa’s leading jewellery designers, Olga handcrafts unique diamond and gold jewellery designed to your precise tastes. You can also trade your diamond in for a more valuable one.

www.olgajewellers.co.za

Exquisite Ice

For over two generations, the Rens family has been cutting and designing exquisite diamond jewellery.

http://www.exquisite-ice.co.za/