Diamond tours cape town
Experiences at The Diamond Works Institute
Discover the experiences that bring the sparkle to The Diamond Works Institute. Whether you arrive on your own, with family, your fiancé, friends, or a tour group, you can explore an authentic journey into the history of diamonds and tanzanite — including their origins, legends, myths, and famous owners.
See live diamond-cutting demonstrations and watch fine jewellery being crafted in our artisan workshop, just metres away. Enjoy South African wine and chocolate tastings, paired with the story of how cocoa beans and tanzanite come from the same ancient earth. Continue your experience by stepping onto our red carpet or delving into a recreation of the Kimberley Mine.
Visitors are welcome to book a guided tour or simply walk in to explore at their own pace. Our team will be ready to welcome you and introduce you to one of Cape Town’s most memorable jewellery experiences.
Free tour in Cape Town
Begin your visit with a glass of South African bubbly or a creamy cappuccino while your guide learns what interests you most. Your Diamond Works guided tour is then personalised to your curiosity — whether you’re drawn to tanzanite, diamond history, famous celebrity diamonds, or the more technical side of gem cutting and grading.
Most tours start in the diamond history exhibit, home to authentic artefacts from Kimberley’s 19th–20th century diamond rush. Your guide will share the stories behind miners’ original tools and belongings, the scales once used to weigh rough diamonds, and a life-size replica of the Cullinan Diamond, one of the most important stones in South African history. You can also step deeper into the experience by exploring the Kimberley Mine in virtual reality, offering an immersive look at the world beneath the earth’s surface.
Your tour continues into our artisan jewellery workshop, where you can look through glass screens into the working studios and watch our diamond cutters at work. See rough stones transformed into brilliant gems, and observe our goldsmiths hand-crafting bespoke jewellery pieces right in front of you — an experience many visitors search for when looking for an authentic diamond-cutting demonstration in Cape Town.
Next, you’ll explore exhibits dedicated to royal, celebrity, and historically significant diamonds and tanzanite, followed by a visit to our glittering showroom. Here you’ll find everything from rare black diamonds to vivid fancy yellow diamonds and exceptional tanzanite.
Tanzanite, sourced from a single four-kilometre strip of land in Tanzania, is often a highlight of the tour. Your guide may share the story of how this extraordinary gemstone puzzled gemologists when it was discovered in 1967, along with fascinating tales of iconic diamonds that once belonged to royalty and Hollywood legends.
FAQs
Are the tours family-friendly?
Yes, the tours are accessible to all ages (apart from the Deetlefs wine tasting). Tweens, teens, and young adults will especially enjoy the AR photo booth for dazzling selfies, and there is a safe relaxation corner with activity books, high-speed Wi-Fi, sofas, coffee, chocolate, and a laptop counter.
Do the experiences appeal to adults or kids?
The experiences are interesting for both kids and adults and are tweaked according to the audience. The exhibits are interactive, with elements like AR and VR experiences that appeal to younger ages and elements like fascinating information boards for adults.
Do I have to book, or can I just walk in?
You can walk in or book if you prefer. For bigger groups, booking is advised. Booking ahead also gives us a chance to better customise your experience.
Are the tours and experiences free?
The Signature Tanzanite and Diamond Tour, AR and VR experiences, and viewing the collections are all free (of all the free activities in Cape Town, these are the most sparkling!) Please enquire about the Deetlefs Wine Tasting and Afrikoa Chocolate Tasting, as the price is dependent on how many people and tastings are involved. Appointments with our master goldsmiths for custom jewellery design are free, and they will provide you with a quote for your pieces.
Do I have to tour the exhibits with a guide, or can I browse at my leisure?
You can browse at your leisure and/or book with one of our knowledgeable guides to show you around – they know all the fascinating stories and have in-depth knowledge about all things diamonds and tanzanite.
How do I book my tour/experience?
You can call 021 425 1970 or email [email protected]
Are you open seven days a week and on public holidays?
We are open every day from 9 am to 7 pm and on public holidays.