Welcome to South Africa, the land of gold, platinum and diamonds!
From the majestic mountains of the Cape to the rugged African bushveld, South Africa is a land of great contrasts and great beauty.
And beneath this land, deep within the rich African soil, there lies a unique store of mineral wealth. South Africa - the land of gold, platinum, diamonds and gemstones.
We have great pleasure introducing you to the South African jewellery industry.
The Diamond and Jewellery Federation of South Africa
The Diamond and Jewellery Federation of South Africa is the governing industry body that represents the diamond and jewellery industry and is made up of The Jewellery Council and The Diamond Council, each of whom represents various trade associations which fall within that sector. In addition, De Beers, AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo Platinum, the Chamber of Mines, Harmony and Mintek are also associated in their own right.
The Federation, situated in Johannesburg (the commercial capital of South Africa) plays a diverse role in representing the interests of the industry. Its objectives are to serve as the voice of the downstream diamond and jewellery industry in South Africa. Activities include marketing (local and international), representations to Government, negotiating on behalf of members on industry related issues, seminars and training courses, and the dissemination of information to the industry.
The Jewellery Council of South Africa
The Jewellery Council of South Africa is the umbrella body of 4 Constituent Bodies:
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Jewellery Council of SA direct membership (representing wholesalers) |
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Jewellery Manufacturers Association of SA (representing manufacturing jewellers) |
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Jewellers Association of South Africa (representing retail jewellers) |
The Council, situated in Johannesburg, plays a diverse role in representing the interests of wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers. Activities are specific to the above 3 sectors and include marketing (local and international), representation to Government, organisation of local and international trade fairs, seminars and training courses, the operation of an internationally recognised Diamond Certification Laboratory, and the dissemination of information to the industry.
The Diamond Council of South Africa
The Diamond Council of South Africa is in the process of being established and will represent the following 3 Constituent Bodies:
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Rough Diamond Dealers Association of SA (representing rough diamond dealers) |
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Diamond Dealers Club of SA (representing polished diamond dealers) |
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Master Diamond Cutters Association of SA (representing diamond cutting/polishing factories) |
Jewellery Council Information Centre
The Jewellery Council Information Centre offers a wide range of information on the South African diamond, jewellery and watch industry for consumers, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, importers and exporters.
In addition, details of persons seeking employment in the industry and companies looking to employ persons, is provided.
Full details on licensing requirements, import and export procedures and all other relevant information pertaining to the South African jewellery, diamond and watch industry, are available.
The Jewellery Council of South Africa has established training facilities for jewellery manufacturers at tertiary educational institutions throughout South Africa. A 3-year National Diploma in Jewellery Manufacture and Design is offered to students.
In addition, the diamond and jewellery industry have been incorporated into the Mining and Quarrying Sector Education Training Authority and plays an integral part of the training of students and apprentices in South Africa.
The Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Training School was established by the diamond industry and is run by a Board of trustees comprising of The Master Diamond Cutters Association, The Rough Diamond Dealers Association and De Beers representatives. This school offers training to prospective employees in the industry, upgrades the skill of existing employees and offers training on the latest automated diamond cutting and polishing machines. The Diamond Foundation and De Beers finance the school.
The Jewellex International Trade Fair
The premier showcase event of the South African diamond, jewellery and watch industry is the annual Jewellex International Jewellery Trade Fair, organised by the Jewellery Council of South Africa.
The Jewellex International Trade Fair, a four-day event, traditionally held in the July to August period at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre, located in Sandton, the heart of Gauteng's business sector.
The Jewellex International Jewellery Trade Fair offers the visitor a unique opportunity to do business on the African continent. Special accommodation rates are provided for out of town visitors and a number of social and educational events are run during the course of the Trade Fair.
Organiser's Offices:
Suite 102, SA Diamond Centre, 225 Main Street, Johannesburg, 2001
Tel: (+27 11) 334-1930; Fax: (+27 11) 334-1933; email: admin@jewellery.org.za
Jewellery Council Collection Awards Jewellery Design Competition
The Jewellery Council Collection Awards Jewellery Design Competition was founded and sponsored by the Jewellery Council of South Africa in 1994.
This annual jewellery design competition aims to foster and promote excellence in South African jewellery design and encourages young South African designers, proudly linked by their appreciation of all that is African, to draw from their heritage for inspiration. The criteria for the judging, includes interpretation of the theme, wear ability, manufacturing practicality and the innovative use of materials. No limitations are placed on the designers in terms of cost, unless they do not have the sponsors.
For further information and visuals on this fantastic collection, please contact the Council's offices, the details of which are as
follows:
Suite 102, SA Diamond Centre, Private Bag X1, Excom, 2023, Tel: (+27 11) 334-1930; Fax: (+27 11) 334-1933; email: admin@jewellery.org.za
CIBJO
The Jewellery Council of South Africa joined CIBJO (Confederation of Jewellery, Silverware, Diamonds, Pearls and Stones). This organisation is the international jewellery confederation of national trade associations that represents associations from 37 countries from the manufacturing, wholesale, stones and retail sectors.
CIBJO's mission is to encourage harmonisation, promote international co-operation in the jewellery industry and to consider issues that concern the trade wordwide. Foremost of these is to protect consumer confidence in the industry.
For more information, please call the Council's offices at Suite 102, SA Diamond Centre, Private Bag X1, Excom, 2023,
Tel: (+27 11) 334-1930; Fax: (+27 11) 334-1933; email: admin@jewellery.org.za
There are some 3000 retail jewellery stores in South Africa of which approximately one third are represented by the Jewellers Assocation of South Africa (JASA), the organisation that represents retail jewellers.
Whilst South Africa has a large 9 carat gold consumer market, there is also a very strong market for top end, hand crafted pieces made from both 18ct yellow and white gold as well as platinum jewellery.
JASA plays an active role in representing the interests of the retail jewellers on a broad range of issues. It aggressively promotes the awareness and sale of fine jewellery in South Africa. It is also responsible for the creation and development of training programmes designed to enhance the professionalism of the trade on all levels.
Furthermore, JASA provides an important interface between retail jewellers and the consumer through the provision of information.
Contact Details:
Suite 102, SA Diamond Centre, Private Bag X1, Excom, 2023,
Tel: (+27 11) 334-1930; Fax: (+27 11) 334-1933; email: admin@jewellery.org.za
The Jewellery Manufacturing Sector
South Africa has a well-established jewellery manufacturing industry within which a wide variety of precious metal jewellery items are produced. From mass production to individual pieces, the industry caters to all needs.
The industry is primarily based in the Gauteng and Western Cape regions, with some manufacturing existing in the Durban/Pietermaritzburg and Bloemfontein areas.
The industry comprises some 350 manufacturing concerns in the formal sector ranging from large manufacturers employing in excess of 200 employees to smaller studios, specialising in high value added "designer" pieces. The industry employs approximately 3000 people. It is speculated that there are up to 2500 manufacturers in the informal sector.
The Jewellery Manufacturers Association of SA - JMASA (a national body) and the Cape Jewellery Manufacturers Association - CJMA (representing manufacturers in the Western Cape) are the two organisations that represent manufacturers.
Whilst the predominance of South African manufactured jewellery is for local consumption, the manufacturing sector has recently embarked upon an export drive, which has proved very positive.
South African manufacturing jewellers and designers have consistently won international recognition for their innovative and original designs. In additional to the manufacture of "traditional" items of jewellery, the ethos of the African continent and culture has resulted in the creation of uniquely South African jewellery incorporating the beauty of gold, platinum, diamonds and other gemstones. The manufacturing industry is well serviced by equipment suppliers who have a full range of equipment and consumable items utilised in the manufacturing process.
Contact Details: JMASA - Suite 102, SA Diamond Centre, Private Bag X1, Excom, 2023,
Tel: (+27 11) 334-1930; Fax: (+27 11) 334-1933; email: admin@jewellery.org.za
The Watch, Clock and Wholesale Jewellery Sector
The Jewellery Council also represents the interests of importers and distributors of watches, clocks and jewellery in South Africa. Most major watch brands are available in South Africa through a well-established infrastructure of authorised dealers.
The equipment suppliers to the local jewellery manufacturing industry as well as wholesalers of pearls, precious stones, jewellery and costume jewellery form part of this sector within the Council.
Contact Details: Suite 102, SA Diamond Centre, Private Bag X1, Excom, 2023,
Tel: (+27 11) 334-1930; Fax: (+27 11) 334-1933; email: admin@jewellery.org.za
South Africa has an active polished diamond market with a wide range of goods being freely traded. The Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa, which is affiliated to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, represents the polished diamond sector of the industry in South Africa.
The Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa members, are protected through disciplinary and arbitration mechanisms.
Contact details: Suite 102, SA Diamond Centre, Private Bag X1, Excom, 2023,
Tel: (+27 11) 334-1930; Fax: (+27 11) 334-1933; email: admin@jewellery.org.za
The Diamond Cutting Sector
The quality of the "make" of South African manufactured diamonds is renowned throughout the world.
This sector of the industry currently employs approximately 2500 people and comprises approximately 19 Diamond Trading Companies Sight holders and over 400 other licensed diamond cutting concerns who obtain their source of rough diamonds from De Beers, Diamdel, the South African Diamond Bourse, other rough dealers and the open market.
South African companies are world leaders in the development of new technologies for the diamond cutting industry with the Prodiamatic diamond polishing machine, the diamond bruiting machine and state of the art laser cutting techniques having been developed and produced in South Africa.
The South African rough diamond industry is regulated by the South African Diamond Board, which is a statutory body comprising representatives from industry and Government.
This sector is represented by the Master Diamond Cutters' Assocatoin:
Suite 102, SA Diamond Centre, Private Bag X1, Excom, 2023,
Tel: (+27 11) 334-1930; Fax: (+27 11) 334-1933; email: admin@jewellery.org.za
The Rough Diamond Dealing Sector
In terms of the Diamond Act, a license is required to purchase or sell rough diamonds in South Africa. Licensed rough diamond dealers source their rough from De Beers, Diamdel, the South African Diamond Bourse, other rough dealers and the open market. The rough is then sold to diamond manufacturers locally or exported.
There are currently some 200 licensed rough diamond dealers operative in South Africa. Licensed rough diamond dealers are represented by the Rough Diamond Dealers Association, which actively participates in all industry structures.
Contact Details:
Suite 102, SA Diamond Centre, Private Bag X1, Excom, 2023,
Tel: (+27 11) 334-1930; Fax: (+27 11) 334-1933; email: admin@jewellery.org.za
The Gold and Diamond Mining Sector
De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd, AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo Platinum, Harmony and the Chamber of Mines who represent the majority of gold and platinum producers in South Africa are all associated with the Diamond and Jewellery Federation of South Africa.
For further information on this sector of the industry, you are invited to contact the above organisations directly.
De Beers Consolidated Mines address details are Private Bag X01, Southdale, 2135; Tel: (+27 11) 374-700; Fax: (+27 11) 374-7062; email: enquiries@debeers.co.za
Chamber of Mines of South Africa, 5 Hollard Street, Marshalltown, 2107; Tel: (+27 11) 498-7100; Fax: (+27 11) 834-4905
Anglo Platinum, P O Box 62179, Marshalltown, 2107; Tel: (+27 11) 373-6111; Fax:
(+27 11) 373-5788;
email: mjoseph@angloplat.com
AngloGold Ashanti, P O Box 62117, Marshalltown, 2107; Tel: (+27 11) 637-6155; email: mpool@anglogoldashanti.com
Harmony Gold, Private Bag X1, Melrose Arch, 2106; Tel: (+27 11) 684-0140/1; Fax: (+27 11) 684-0188.
Import
and Export Mechanisms
Export Duties
Should you intend to export products to South Africa, you are urged to obtain the latest information on duties applicable to the product to be imported. The information listed below is supplied for information purposes only.
Import Duties
South Africa is a signatory to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and has agreed to abide to the principles contained in the said agreement. At the present time, the following import duties are applicable to diamonds, jewellery and related product:
WATCHES AND CLOCKS
Import Duty 0%
Surcharge 0%
Ad Valorem - watches (reduced from 15% in Feb 99) 0%
Ad Valorem - clocks (reduced from 15% in March 98) 10%
Pearls
Import Duty on loose pearls 0%
Import Duty on graded or temporarily strung 0%
Import Surcharge 0%
Rough Diamonds 0%
Precious / Semi- Precious Stones (effective Jan 97) 0%
Precious Metal Jewellery
Import Duty 17.6%
Import Surcharge 0%
Unwrought gold, silver and platinum 0%