Shimansky Diamond Experience at The Rockwell

The diamond showroom where you can polish your own stone

Last updated: Wednesday, 7 May 2025 

After playing with magnifying glasses in the secret chamber and stepping into the workshop to polish a real diamond, you get to adorn yourself in jewellery dripping with jewels. This is just some of what is included in Shimansky’s Diamond Experience, which is available in five international languages. 

This experience takes you on the journey of a diamond, from the mine to your finger. Image: Saarah Gierdien 

THE HISTORY OF DIAMONDS 

After you’re buzzed into the building (it’s by appointment only), you see large black-and-white photos of the Kimberley Mine (the world's largest hand-dug excavation) and a timeline covering two walls. It spans the history of diamonds, starting 3.3 billion years ago when they were first formed in the Earth’s crust. 

An experienced storyteller guides you through this miniature diamond museum. You’ll learn about when diamonds were first used decoratively in 322 BC, the first diamond engagement ring given in 1477, and the discovery of the first diamond in South Africa, which happened in 1867 near Hopetown, on the banks of the Orange River.

The experience begins with the story of diamonds, tracing their origin 3.3 billion years ago in the Earth’s crust. Image: Saarah Gierdien

SEE JEWELLERY BEING MADE 

The second stop is the workshop. This is where you see the making of Shimansky jewellery, which is 100% South African from start to finish. 

Shimansky is one of the only jewellers in the world that cut and polish their own diamonds. Most jewellers send their diamonds to be cut and polished in Antwerp, Belgium, which has an entire district dedicated to the diamond trade. 

Even Shimansky diamonds are sourced directly from South African mines. They’re one of the only jewellers in the world with a certificate to do so. 

Their craftsmen carefully transform raw materials into stunning pieces. Image: Shimansky

SECRET INTERACTIVE CHAMBER   

Hidden in the wall of the showroom, the chamber opens into a dark mining setting, illuminated by glowing rocks that hang from the ceiling. Echoes of mining sounds can be heard as you move through the space.

This room takes you on the journey of a Shimansky diamond. You can touch and hold rough diamond replicas, look at them under microscopes and learn how these stones evolve from raw material to polished jewels. 

There are replicas of diamonds like the beautiful Millennium Star, the world's second-largest colourless diamond, and the pear-shaped Taylor Burton, a gem given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton. Its size and connection to their iconic love story make it one of the most famous diamonds in the world.

The Secret Diamond Chamber enables you to get a deeper understanding of diamonds. Image: Shimansky
 

POLISH YOUR OWN DIAMOND  

If you opt for the Polish a Diamond Tour Experience, you then wear a uniform and go back to the workshop to polish a real diamond.

Your guide will show you the technology they use to choose a shape for each diamond. Then, help you transform a rough diamond into a polished gem using a polishing machine and a magnifying glass.

The trick is to keep an even amount of pressure on the diamond as you hold it against the rough polishing pad. Too much pressure, and it will damage the stone; too little, and you won’t polish it at all. 


You work with real Shimansky diamonds, not practice stones. Image: Shimansky

TRY ON ELEGANT & TIMELESS JEWELLERY  

With plush carpets, dim lighting and a grand chandelier, Shimansky's showroom is truly exquisite. It’s a magnificent presentation of diamond drop earrings, violet Tanzanite necklaces, deep green Tsavorite rings, and more.  

See the Evolym ring (one of Shimansky’s most popular creations) sparkling on your finger; or resting on your collarbone, a dramatic necklace dripping with Tanzanites. You’ll feel just as glamorous as Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

To finish, the marble-topped bar offers South African craft gin, wine, whisky, and chocolate pairings.  

The experience ends off in Shimansky’s showroom. Image: Shimansky

3 DIAMOND EXPERIENCES   

The Shimansky Diamond Experience has three options:  

1. Full Tour & Experience: Watch diamond cutting and polishing, Secret Chamber Room tour, and showroom (free). Available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

2. Tasting Experience: All of the above, plus a chocolate and gin pairing (R500pp). Available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

3. Polish a Diamond Tour Experience: All of the above (1 & 2), with a diamond polishing experience (R1 900pp). Available Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. 

The experience can take groups of up to 45 people, and larger groups can be accommodated by splitting them into smaller sessions.

It’s available in seven languages. English, Afrikaans, Mandarin, Russian, French, German and Italian.
 

BOOK YOUR BESPOKE EXPERIENCE 

Diamond Rockwell Experience happens: Monday to Sunday, 10am till 6pm
Find it: The Rockwell All Suite Hotel, Corner of Prestwich & Alfred Streets, Green Point
Book: via the Shimansky website
Contact on: @shimanskyjewellery, enquiries@shimansky.com, 021 440 5277

By Saarah Gierdien

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MORE ABOUT SHIMANSKY 

Everything you need to know about buying diamonds in Cape Town. 

Have you visited the Shimansky store at the V&A Waterfront? 

See which pieces to invest in in our guide to buying Tanzanite.