The Rockwell Shimansky Experience: Chocolate, Gin and Diamonds

The Rockwell Shimansky is a diamond shop on steroids, except far more glamorous and luxurious. Apart from just going there when you’re shopping for something exciting and sparkly, they offer a unique interactive experience. The Rockwell Diamond Experience enables guests to learn about the history of diamond mining in South Africa, the significance of diamonds through the ages, how diamonds are cut, and how to polish one yourself. It also includes a gin and chocolate pairing before you get to browse their collection of stunning jewellery. 

I recently got to experience it first-hand.

*I was a guest of Shimansky but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Here are my favourite parts of The Shimansky Experience: 

I learned more about the Kimberley Hole than I did at the Kimberley Hole

The tour started off with a bit of a history lesson about the history of diamonds in South Africa. This obviously included references to the Kimberly Hole. I visited the Kimberley Hole two years ago when I was travelling on the Blue Train. I couldn’t have been paying much attention because I missed quite a lot. For example, I did not know that the whole of Table Mountain could fit in the hole. And as an unfit person who is dumb enough to have climbed Table Mountain twice, it’s big! (Seriously, just take the cable car!)

There were a lot of other facts that were new to me, despite me thinking that I had some knowledge of the history of diamond mining. 

I saw replicas of world-famous diamonds 

In the "Secret Room", I got to learn more about some renowned diamonds. One of the replicas was The Hope Diamond, a massive 45.52-carat blue-violet diamond that is believed to be cursed. It was purchased by a French person in India in the 17th century and stolen during the French Revolution. It reappeared when it was purchased by Henry Philip Hope of a wealthy banking family, who listed it in his family’s gem catalogue in 1839 and died the same year. Everyone who inherited it from him suffered some misfortune which is how the diamond came to be thought of as cursed. And if it looks familiar, it was the inspiration behind the Heart of the Ocean in Titanic. 

We saw replicas of other impressive diamonds too, like the 273-carat Centenary Diamond and the 353-carat Premier Rose Diamond. That's a lot of carats! Seriously, guys, I'd settle for just one. 

I also really appreciated that our tour guide let me pretend to steal one of them:

I learned to polish a real diamond in Shimansky's interactive tour

Then they put us in some not so sexy overalls and took us behind the scenes to show us how they cut and polish diamonds, before giving us the chance to polish one ourselves. 

“Polishing” in this context might sound like shining up a diamond that’s already in someone’s wedding ring that needs a clean because they’ve been wearing it for 15 years (because they managed to lock down a man back when there were still a lot of good ones out there, while you’re still left searching for a ‘diamond’ in what’s now a cesspool of disappointing men with baggage and an aversion to commitment). But actually, polishing in this context means refining the different facets of the diamond to make sure they’re angled just right to make the diamond as shimmery as possible. 

It involves more time and specialised equipment than you would think.

And I know what you’re thinking, but no, they don’t let you keep the diamond after you have polished it. 

I did, however, get a certificate and a photograph out of the experience. It’s nice to know that if travel writing doesn’t work out, I have other qualifications to fall back on.   

I enjoyed a gin and chocolate pairing

Part of the experience includes a gin pairing where three Triple Three gins (because four would just be wrong), with flavours of African botanicals, citrus and raspberry, are each paired with complementary chocolates. Gin, chocolate and shiny things? What a combination! 

I did some diamond shopping (or at least some window shopping)

The experience ended with an opportunity to explore the diamond shop and try on some jewellery. I was hoping there would be a really big diamond-encrusted tiara that I could try on to make me feel like the princess that I know I am, but no such luck. 

While diamonds have very strong marriage connotations, I loved that they cater for spinsters as well. As a 40+ single childless woman, I found the perfect spinster substitute for an engagement ring. 

Actually, a house cat might be more on brand. This one might be more for cougars …which I am also okay with! If the ring fits, wear it!

Make sure you see Shimansky’s signature Table Mountain rings. They make the perfect souvenir for visitors to Cape Town while also being a great way exhibit some love for the city no matter where you’re from. 

Enjoy your own Rockwell Diamond Experience

Rockwell Shimansky Experience Prices:

The Rockwell Shimansky offers the full experience for *R1900. 

Alternatively, you can just do the gin tasting for *R500 per person.

(*Correct at time of posting and subject to change)

Bookings are essential.

To find out more or to book, click here.

Where is the Rockwell Shimansky?

You can find it at the Rockwell All Suite Hotel, Prestwich Street, De Waterkant Village, Green Point, Cape Town.

Other things to do in the area:

• Meet South Africa's most interesting sushi chef at Konnichiwa
• Check out the Museum of Dogs
• Have amazing Indian food at the Bombay Brasserie
• Try out the Waterfront Duck, Cape Town's bus-boat
• Go for a sunset kayak at the Waterfront Canal District