Discovering diamonds in Cape Town

There has been an increase in attendance at the Cape Town Diamond Museum, owing to the growing number of visitors to Cape Town in general and the museum’s own marketing activities, says Cape Town Diamond Museum founder Yair Shimansky.

The Cape Town Diamond Museum is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to creating a new appreciation for diamonds, and is a gift from diamond producer and retailer Shimansky to the city.

Situated in the heart of the world-famous Clock Tower precinct, along the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island at the V&A Waterfront, the museum pays tribute to what is considered to be the world’s most precious gem.

“The museum offers visitors the opportunity to witness a three-billion-year-old story unfold, from diamond’s initial formation to the final polished stone,” he says.

The museum is the first of its kind in Cape Town, paying homage to the history of the South African diamond industry.

Local and international visitors who want to learn, explore, discover and experience the history of diamonds in South Africa can visit the museum, seven days a week, from 9:00 to 21:00, free of charge.

“Any visitor will enjoy the experience, as it is engaging, fascinating and, like diamonds, every facet tells a story,” says Shimansky, adding that visitors get to understand South Africa’s intrinsic connection to the diamond industry.

“The Cape Town Diamond Museum is unique, as it focuses on South Africa, the South African diamond industry and its diamonds. It is the only diamond museum in Cape Town with actual artefacts and specimens that belong to the museum,” he highlights.

The museum also offers a guided tour by a diamond professional, which lasts between 25 and 40 minutes. “This offers a unique opportunity to experience the world of diamonds and understand why the world’s most desired treasure has been met with such allure and fascination over the centuries,” says Shimansky.

Diamond Outlook
Shimansky points out that there is a shortage in the regular supply of diamonds, which is impacting on the establishment of small and medium-sized diamond-manufacturing companies. 

He says the larger companies are engaged in supply contracts from De Beers, while the smaller companies rely on buying diamonds from the free market, tenders, auctions and secondary purchases from sightholders.

Shimansky adds that he does not see any meaningful change in the diamond industry in the short to medium term.

He mentions, however, that the future of diamond sales looks promising, as diamond resources are decreasing, owing to an increase in demand and, consequently, a demand beyond the industry’s ability to supply.