BRILLIANCE FROM BOTSWANA – A LIVING LEGACY
Diamonds were discovered relatively late in Botswana, with the first deposit found in 1967 in Orapa, 260 miles north of the capital Gaborone. The discovery of what would become one of the largest-ever diamond mines came just a year after Botswana gained independence, and it transformed it from one of the world’s poorest countries to one of its fastest-growing economies.
SOURCE & ORIGIN
Botswana is a shining example of how natural
diamond mining can do good by improving the
lives of the communities it supports. As well as creating jobs, all of its diamond minds must be run as joint ventures with the government, meaning the sale of every diamond feeds money back into the local economy.
It is also one of the few African
countries that has invested in creating a cutting and-polishing industry. By training local
diamantaires to transform rough diamonds into
polished stones, rather than sending
them to other countries to be cut, Botswana
retains more of the value of its diamonds.
TRACEABILITY
We are proud to support the work being done in
Botswana. We have been building direct
relationships with miners and manufacturers on
the ground there that allow us to source more
diamonds from the country. It also gives us access
to some truly spectacular, fully traceable stones.
One example is a Type IIa internally flawless
10.32ct oval-cut diamond that was discovered at
the Karowe mine, just outside Orapa. It is now set
in a platinum Deco ring within our Masterpiece
collection. Other important Botswana diamonds
within the Masterpiece Collection include an 8.01ct
Type IIa antique cushion cut and a D-colour 6.17ct
heart shape, both set as solitaire rings.
Understanding the origin of our gemstones is becoming
an increasingly important focus at Pragnell, as we seek to
ensure the choices we make create a positive impact.
—
Q&A WITH MARY, DIAMOND POLISHER, DEBSWANA:
How did you find yourself working in this industry
to begin with?
I transitioned into the diamond industry, starting with
my work with Debswana as a junior HR person in
Gaborone, before moving into polishing.
What does Botswana offer as a place for sourcing
stones? Why do jewellers come to Botswana?
We produce some of the most beautiful things in the world
from deep below our land. It is only right that we now also
polish these beautiful diamonds here in Botswana.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
The people we work with. I enjoy coming in and working
with the great people around the factory.
What is it that makes a stone special?
Diamonds are special because they are natural and they
tell the story of how small carbon atoms from billions of
years ago merged together to make such beautiful things.
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