We have a layover in Johannesburg (we will be staying in Sandton) en route to our safari in Kenya. Does anyone have any knoweldge or experience with making a realatively minor diamond purchase in Johannesburg, such as recommendations and whether you will save any money (coming from the U.S.)?

What is minor? Less than 1ct? Or larger? Unless someone can recommend a reputable jeweler, with whom they have a relationship, can vouch for quality of their stones, and have someone to whom you can complain after paying your money - buy at home.

There are many reputable jewelers in your own community with whom you should establish a relationship for "sparklies" and/or other gems, gold, pearls, silver, platinum, etc., etc.

Hey, they sell diamonds in the terminal at Schiphol (AMS)... tempting, but would I? Don't think so.

Even QVC and HSN have great deals on small stones.

Unless you simply want a souvenir from SA, it would be like buying "a pig in a poke."

You won't save any money. The diamond market is so self-regulated that there aren't really any bargains. But what a nifty souvenir! In Sandton City (Nelson Mandela Mall), there's a jewelry store in the section of the mall right next to the Sun Hotel which always has a beautiful selection of jewelry in gold and diamonds and other gems. I've never bought there, only window-shopped, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy there if I was in the market for its products. It's a long-established shop in an area frequented by locals as well as tourists.

(The hotel may not be named the Sun anymore -- it might be the Crowne Plaza, or something else. Anyway, it's the hotel that isn't the Michaelangelo -- it's at the other end of the mall.)

I agree with Celia. I have had much better luck buying jewelery in downtown Los Angeles in the jewelery district.

However, I will give a strong endorsement for buying emeralds and diamonds in Lusaka, Zambia. I have bought my wife some nice jewelery both in person and have had some hand delivered by my jeweler who has become a personal friend of my wife and I.

Her family not only owns a beautiful jewelery store in one of the top Lusaka hotels but they also have a nearby offsite factory and own a mine or two in Zambia. First class merchandise at excellent prices.

stardogcz,

Many people who come to South Africa believe jewellery is cheaper in SA relative to the rest of the world only because all the diamonds and gold are found in our land. They would be wrong in thinking so. Diamonds and gold come at a standard price that is Dollar based throughout the world. With that said the only gain that one will obtain by buying jewellery in SA is via a Dollar/Rand exchange rate on the labour content of making the jewellery.

I know this does not effect you but for the benefit of Fodorites reading this mail be aware that most tourguides and operators will not tell you the above as they are intent on having sales made and grabbing commissions.

The only way to go when buying is to find I a diamond wholesaler whcih I dont hink you have the time to do in Johannesburg. When doing so one could save about 10-15% of the Dollar cost. Diamond wholesalers are at the bottom of the food chain. I.e they obtain the diamonds from the mines and sell them to the jewellers. Their prices are thus the wholesale prices of diamonds and are much cheaper than the retail sector. Most of these wholesalers have facilities to set these stones however this takes time to do. If you want to buy stones from a wholesaler I would recommend the purchase however it would be advisable to have the settings done back home if time is a problem of any nature. All wholesalers generally have the facility of having their stones certified and I would strongly suggest that you ask for this certificate no matter what.

Hope this helps.

Very proudly part of the wonderful nation of South Africa

Here are the contact details and website for a wholesaler who offers much better value than the stores.

The Gem Lab
+27 (0)31 303-9914
0860 GEMLAB
www.gemlab.co.za