OUT OF AFRICA
A Partnership Built on Principles
The Boulle andmining families are committed to ethically sourced di- amonds and to the highest ethics in the business, supporting and funding various sustainable-de- velopment projects. Here, just some of the ways we are working together to help improve every- thing from environmental impact to employee development. Land rehabilitation The Northern Cape, primarily desert, has an especially delicate landscape. We, therefore, rehabili- tate all the mines. Mine rehabilita- tion is the restoration of the post- mined landscape to its intended post-mining land use. Rehabilita- tion offers a number of advantag- es, which can include improving the visual appearance of the areas, establishing a cover to provide erosion control and improving runoff-water quality. When reha- bilitation is complete, pecan trees are planted, which can create jobs for more than 200 people. Work wellness We make sure to keep working hours limited to 45 hours per week, and we consistently check the health of our employees. We are very strict about having living wage practices in place — practic- es that encourage good health and well-being. Employee development We support developmental and social projects for our employees, making sure no one goes uned- ucated and that all have the best conditions for an enriched life. All the mining operators are trained and highly skilled once in the op- erating role, and we encourage continued education.
Nick Boulle on safari before the journey to the mines
identify — using blockchain, a secure record-keeping technology — where your diamond was cut, polished and set. Through blockchain technology, a unique birth certificate and jour- ney for your diamond is catalogued, which establishes a new level of in- formation transparency. “Our clients are very educated about their pur- chases,” says Denis Boulle, CEO of
Y From left to right:
The Big Hole, Kimberley South Africa. A diamond in the rough.
de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry. “Through our direct-sourcing relationship, our clients can feel confident that we are operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.” Your diamond’s possibilities By working closely with our friends in South Africa, we are able to offer unique stones directly from more than 30 diamond mines in South Africa. All of the mines are whol- ly or substantially owned by the mining family, who strives to support and expand the growth and need for transparency, globally, especially supporting mines that are abiding by ethical and sustainable practices. Currently all mining is performed via alluvial mining. The mines are created near where very old rivers once dragged dia- monds along riverbeds, millions of years ago. Today, miners pull the ground up in the same direction that the rivers flowed, then sift for diamonds. (The largest stone that has come from the family mines was 278 carats. White and various colored stones have been found, including yellows, pinks, purples and blues.) Once your rough diamond is unearthed, it is delivered to our skilled, diamond-cutting artisans in South Africa. Your stone is cut, then inscribed with its Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certif- icate number, then professionally inspected in the famous diamond city of Kimberley, South Africa. What’s more, you can even name your diamond — anything you wish — whether you commission its creation or discover it already waiting for you at de Boulle. How it works 1- Visits to de Boulle are arranged, to begin dreaming about your diamond's cut, size, color, setting and more. 2- We then begin the sourcing to discover your personal diamond. This process can take a while, but, remember: A diamond took millions of years to form! 3- You'll receive updates and photographs as your diamond is mined, cut and polished. 4- Once your diamond leaves its mine in South Africa, we can create the jewelry of your dreams from one of our designs — or we can hand-craft a masterpiece as unique as you.
our diamond’s journey A diamond — one of the most rare and beautiful creations possible — is the result of an extraordinary voyage. It has been forged below the earth’s surface over millions of years, where extreme heat and pressure, over time, turned carbon in its purest form into one gleam- ing stone. Shot by a volcanic erup- tion into the air, then carried away
A DIAMOND AS UNIQUE AS YOU WITH de BOULLE’S EXCLUSIVE NEW PERSONAL DIAMOND PROGRAM, NOT ONLY CAN YOU DESIGN THE DIAMOND OF YOUR DREAMS, YOU CAN ALSO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT — FROM ITS SOURCE TO ITS STORY.
by rivers — again, over time — a diamond, by the time you feel it and wear it for the first time, has taken an ex- traordinary long and winding journey to be with you. Your diamond’s story Volcanic eruptions may have brought a stone to the earth’s surface, but its journey involves a great deal of ef- fort to bring it to you: many tons of rubble and countless hours of labor. Beautiful South Africa is home to some of the largest diamond mines in the world — and de Boulle is now partnering with one of the most esteemed min- ing families there to bring you a diamond with a story as unique as your own. de Boulle is partnering with close family friends and have effectively added a fifth C to the famous four — carat, cut, color, clarity — when it comes to diamonds: chronicle. Because we are always committed to responsible sourcing, de Boulle provides provenance information for every newly sourced diamond it offers. And, now, our new Personal Diamond Program will also
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