The Cape Town Diamond Museum is the latest in Cape Town's list of must-see attractions and is conveniently located at the gateway to the world-famous Robben Island.
"The Diamond Museum is an exciting addition to Cape Town's diversity of attractions - telling the stories of our city and country and the journeys that shaped our history. The Diamond Museum will give visitors and citizens a first-hand experience of South Africa's significant contribution to the international diamond industry," says Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism.
The museum features a number of authentic artefacts that tell the amazing story of diamonds, and in particular the story of South Africa's diamond trade. The entire experience was designed to ensure that visitors feel the excitement and mystery surrounding these beautiful gems and learn more about one of South Africa's greatest exports.
The museum tracks the entire journey of diamonds - from mine to finger, how they were shaped deep beneath the earth billions of years ago to how they are cut and polished - making it a one-stop resource for anyone with an interest in the glittering stones. Great care has been taken to show how South Africa's own diamond industry was instrumental in shaping the global industry. During the 19th century, South Africa produced most of the world's diamonds.
Since diamonds were first discovered in South Africa in 1867, the country has produced some of the world's largest, most valuable and most memorable stones, including the Cullinan, the Hope and the Taylor Burton. Visitors can see exact replicas of the world's most famous diamonds and delve deeper into the amazing story of the South African diamond rush.
