Find the sparkle in Windhoek

Namibia is often referred to as the "gem of Africa". Not only is the country blessed with a breathtaking natural environment and a wide variety of game and wildlife, Namibia is also richly endowed with minerals.
Mining accounts for 20% of the GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of non-fuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, gold and tungsten.
No wonder that the country is home to internationally acclaimed jewellers whose designs are unique and original and their products show the finest craftsmanship.

About eighty percent of Namibia's jewellers were trained in Germany.
An interesting bit of information is that Windhoek and Swakopmund have a density of jewellery shops not often found in European cities.
Diamonds originated deep in the interior of southern Africa. Over millennia, the Orange River carried them to the Atlantic Ocean where they were deposited on ancient beaches, which in time became part of the mainland.
Prior to the discovery of diamonds in the Namibian desert, some prospecting had taken place along the coast as early as 1863.
In 1908, a railway worker Zacharia Lewala, stumbled on a shiny treasure that started a major diamond rush. As a result, diamond mining regulations were introduced in 1911 and the Sperrgebiet or "forbidden territory" was declared.

In 1920, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer formed Consolidated Diamond Mines of South West Africa (CDM) and, in 1923, CDM concluded the Halbscheid Agreement with the South West African Administration, which granted CDM the mining rights for the Sperrgebiet. Oranjemund, a unique town that owes its existence to diamond mining, was established in 1936. It adopted its name from its geographical position at the mouth of the Orange River, the national boundary between the Republics of Namibia and South Africa.
In 1994, an agreement between CDM and the Government of the Republic of Namibia resulted in the formation of Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Pty) Limited. All of the De Beers group's existing Namibian mining licences and related rights were replaced by a consolidated and rationalised mineral agreement, drawn up under Namibia's post-independence mineral legislation.
In 1999 a new milestone was reached when diamonds mined in Namibia were for the first time made available to local jewellery shops.

The country's first diamond manufacturing company, Namgem, belongs to Namdeb and is situated in Okahandja.
The cutting of diamonds is a highly complex process in which each of the 58 tiny facets must be fashioned in such a way that their relationship to each other and to the diamond as a whole retains its maximum brilliance. About 15 percent of the light is reflected from the surface of the diamond, while 85 percent enters the crystal, intensifying the brilliance as it is reflected outward again. This perfection is lost if the diamond is not cut perfectly.
Diamonds polished in Namibia carry the "Namibia fine diamonds" trade mark.
For the tourist a visit to Namibia is the ideal opportunity to shop for fine diamond jewellery or other jewellery incorporating local gemstones.

At Adrian Jewellers in the Levinson Arcade in Windhoek goldsmiths specialise in contemporary jewellery, combining gold and silver and incorporating colourful gemstones and indigenous products. Sulphurised silver, with its almost black, pewter-like look, is used for informal jewellery. At Adrian Jewellers Namibian artefacts like ekipas and carved makalani palm nuts are also used to create uniquely Namibian fine jewellery.

African Art Jewellers in Swakopmund use an eclectic combination of traditional stones and precious metals, offset by objects d'art like ekipas, omba shells and trade beads to create its trade mark style. Diamonds, tourmalines and aquamarines are also included. The influence of traditional African culture and the contrasts of the Namibian landscape and wildlife are very noticeable in their designs and production.

African Kirikara has three outlets in Namibia, namely at the guest farm Kiripotib where the workshop is; at the Namibia Craft Centre in Tal Street, Windhoek and at the Am Woernmannturn in Swakopmund.
Unusual jewellery is made using precious metal, fantasy cut gemstones and exotic materials from all over Africa offering a feast for the discerning collector and connoisseur.

At J. Canto Jewellers also situated in the Levinson Arcade in Windhoek, the dynamic father and son team of Jürgen and André Canto work their magic in gold, platinum and silver, specialising in creating unique pieces of jewellery featuring superbly cut Namibian diamonds, tourmaline in its various colours, aquamarine, the rare demantoid and spessartine as well as amethyst and topaz. Their designs are inspired by compositions found in nature, the structure of rock formations or even in the beautiful Namibian sunsets.
Herrle & Herma Jewellers, in the Sanlam Centre in Independence Avenue, Windhoek hand crafted pieces of jewellery of high quality and individual style, is produced using gold, diamonds and other gemstones in combination with such interesting items like hair, bones and claws from different animals as well as shells and feathers.

Individually and specially designed jewellery can be made to order incorporating the customers own style and taste.
Other jeweller shops that are worth a visit include Immo Bohlke Goldschiede in Swakopmund; A. Böck in Independence Avenue in Windhoek; Egelhard design in Swakopmund, Gold Ideas in Sam Nujoma Avenue Windhoek, R&T Namib jewellers in Independence Avenue Windhoek; Meyer Jewellers also in Independence Avenue Windhoek; Jeweller / Goldsmith H. Knop in the Kaiserkrone Centre in Windhoek and Gerald W. Leitner in the Gustav Voigts Centre in Windhoek.

By Estelle de Bruyn