True Diamonds 💎

Over centuries, African mineral wealth has been treasured both inland and abroad.

Before diamonds and tansanite, the origin of allure was gold decorating cloths and jewelry;  also lose minerals were traded. Through gold Africa became a global trade player and little by little, mighty communities all over the world have been persuing their piece of a shiny cake.

According to the sources, diamonds were discovered around 1860s in the Northern part of South Africa. Precious stones are mined outside, yet transported to Capetown and other major cities for their economical and global trade exposure to be sold through corporations, centres, galleries and other distributors.

Based on their symmetrical shape and shiny look, precious stones are associated with quality, status and rated high in value. Some call diamonds the "stones of contention", peculiar how this word means both "status" and "argument" in English.

"Bling bang", as Leonardo di'Caprio refers to the mined stones, has a standing and a meaning of its own.

Whenever a human sees an opportunity to grow his wealth, why would he not go for it? And can we blame him?

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Leisurely, just like a rain drop, he placed the hook. "Some clients want me to take them special places to buy diamonds," he looked up through the back mirror towards his passengers. "I tell them to go to Waterfront, but they interrupt me and ask to show wholesalers and individual rather than touristy places."

We were on a car tour through South Africa - two tourists visiting the most valuable touristy landmarks accompanied by some history from the early days till today and one or two fun facts about the places we drove or stopped by.

Mixing topics, answering questions, our conversation deviated from the treasure stones' theme. That was, until we bit on the hook.

-So, is it cheaper to buy rear stones here, in South Africa?

It can be, - the guide answered. - One can make a fortune by paying in local currency, claiming VAT at the customs and selling the stones in their home country. Some couples come here to marry in the winelands, yet what I call not fully prepared, and go choose the precious ring in the local galleries last minute. But what is the finest groom without a diamond ring for his fiance?

I smiled and imagined a picturesque scene of a wedding on a farm in the winelands, and a huge diamond ring on the bride's finger.

-Necklesses, rings, lose stones - anything you like is popular and being bought here. The guide continues with a smile, making an expressive gesture with his free hand. -Even tansanites, despite its origin in Tansania. The Mother City has it all to offer.

Fair enough, people invest. People enjoy wearing their investment.

With one or two further questions, the topic about the diamonds was closed that day.

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"We should check our options," he mentioned to me at the breakfast, yet the guide was fully booked up until next week and there was little chance of takling to him about exclusive gallery tours.

We spent the morning around Camps Bay, in cafes, walking, enjoying the beach, reading and talking. For lunch, we went to one of our favourite friendly places returning back to the residence early that afternoon.

Surprisinly, the guide stood in the lobby scrolling his phone. Apparently, some guests shortened their trip, so he was available that afternoon to show us around some „special“ places.

When driving through the quirky streets of Capetown, he explained how special and secure such places were: only upon a prior appointment, only with multiple security levels in the building and office. Dressed like nothing, two newbies waited for the host in the lobby. The office was modern, minimalistic; soon we were asked into the so called "shop". From behind the cabinets, the host introduced the place and the products briefly leaving the rest of the talking to her guests to be able to help more specifically. Friendly and competently, the basics of the different stones and products were explained. The value was defined by the "Four Cs": the cut, the clarity, the carat weight, the colour. Having discussed our options, trying to not reveal too much, we left. I was sold to an option at the first place and could hardly help myself to go and compare somewhere else first.

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The second seller was a more spacy, and more filled yet also a modern office; yet the talk starts in an empty room, where - upon customers' interest - the products are brought in. Bigger stones than at the first place were presented. In addition to the above "Four Cs", the rarity, the ranking and the origin were discussed. In this gallery, I specifically refered to the offer in the first place in my mind, to ask questions like the exact ranking ofthe offered stones or ways of selling the goods sometime in future.

Enthusiastic about the tour, we had an energetic talk in the car on our ways back. I started looking for comparisons online, yet at that point of time we were certain about what and mostly about when, too.

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Next days we had a chance to digest on the above topic. Out of town, we were on a safari trip. Setting off early in the fresh morning, we listened to cicadas singing their loud song to us somewhere in the bushes. We were driving through the scenic and vast African landscapes, with some - still shy - sun rays, pushing the fog even higher into the mountains and the sky. Brown, grey, gold dominated the ground; green farms and a clear blue sky complemented the view.

The ranger, with big eyes and a fury crown on his head, looked like a local warrior. Even though the choice is unlimited, we picked this resort and were lucky to encounter hippoes, zebras, ostriches - mostly males with their impressive black feathers and long eye-lashes, giraffes which I hardly spotted in a little forest because the animals camouflaged between the trees, white rhinos, lions and elephants. The ranger shared facts and insights about each group of animals, the most emotional story was about the parade of elephants. Some guests, including me, dropped tears shy about someone spotting it.

They drove us around and dropped back at the home base for lunch and afternoon chill before driving back to the hotels.

That day I was tired to think about anything; yet looking back it appeared to me that the animals, the flora and fauna of South Africa, and globally speaking the nature across the world - this is what should be truly cherished. Doesn’t anyone want a beach vacation or a mountain climb, or an exotic trip to somewhere in the world once in a while? Doesn’t anyone recharge when in the wood or in their garden? Doesn’t anyone enjoy the fullheartedness of their pets?

Aren’t we fascinated my the multifaceted regions and their natural goods?

And so it appeared to me what the true diamonds should have been to us.

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Checking custom rules and our options at home we ended up not closing any deal in Capetown. Something that felt so attractive and desirable to have and invest, soon cooled down with the time taken to think over it.

I am glad we did not go for having more. Don’t we all have the most we need already?