In the heart of the city that sparkles...

In Kimberley, renowned for its significant diamond heritage, lives a legacy, a story of deep hope, prospect and excitement. This is the story of Trevor Pikwane and his family.

Trevor was ‘born and bred’ in Kimberley and grew up with life changing stories of thrilling diamond prospecting. Trevor helped his father in his grocery store and would listen to the stories of migrant workers who had come to Kimberley on hearing about the diamond rush. These stories ignited Trevor’s natural love for and affinity towards intriguing, glorious diamonds.

During South Africa’s new democracy, Trevor was the first black man to apply for a diamond license in 1996. He began trading and soon realised that it was most challenging to compete with the larger, established companies and so had to think of ways to differentiate his business and to solve the problem of slow supply. Trevor thus engaged in diamond mining and was delighted to see what good came as they were able to create jobs, further their opportunities in mining and become independent.

Pikwane Diamonds has now grown into a vertically integrated diamond mining company, with polishing facilities, rough sales, cut and polished sales and marketing.

Looking back Trevor exalts:” The most important thing for me is that my children are becoming involved in the business which has always been my wish”.

Trevor explains that the soil which they are now rewashing is the same soil that went through his father and grandfather’s hands “I wish they were alive now to see what Pikwane Diamonds has evolved into. They would be so very proud”.

Trevor recalls, with overwhelming glee, their first discovery. A 72 carat rough, flawless diamond found at 3am! After working so hard during two shifts per day, it “fills you with hope” to find such an exceptional stone. And that is the passion and anticipation of diamond mining!

Each and every member of the Pikwane Diamonds’ ‘family’ carries through Trevor’s high held principles of honesty, integrity and team work.