The group – consisting of 22 people – travelled to Gaborone, Botswana last month, and followed the complete diamond trail from mine, through to sorting, cutting and polishing.
Gaborone is reportedly fast becoming the new diamond capital of the world. This is the second time Australia’s largest buying group has visited the country and since the its last trip in 2011, the number of cutting and polishing factories has grown from 16 to 21.
Further proof of the country’s large influence in the diamond industry, is DeBeers’ announcement that from the end of 2013 its “Sight Meetings,” traditionally held in London, will take place in Gaborone. It is estimated that US$6 billion of diamonds will be traded annually.
As part of the tour, the members visited the Jwaneng mine where a fourth Kimberlite pipe was recently discovered.
According to Nationwide, Jwaneng is the world’s most productive mine and the new pipe discovery, combined with additional technology, will only help to further improve its production rates.
Nationwide members were also allowed access to the Diamond Trading Company’s rough sorting facility. The group was fortunate enough to see a good quality white crystal weighing 158 carats and with an estimated value of more than US$1 million.
In addition, the group visited the Hearts & Arrows Cutting Factory, which produces the diamonds used for Tolkowsky jewellery. Nationwide members have an exclusive distribution agreement for Tolkowsky in Australia and New Zealand.
Production at the factory is said to have increased, with more local staff and overseas trainers being employed since the buying group’s 2011 visit.
The trip also included a visit to a South African game park, where members were accommodated in luxury, thatched huts.
The jewellers concluded their tour in Antwerp, Belgium where they purchased diamonds from “four of the best dealers”. The majority of purchases were for orders taken prior to the trip.
The African tour was an optional add-on to the buying group’s Antwerp trip.