StarGems Stands Out at US-Africa Summit

• Visiting the company exhibition stall, President Mokgweetsi Masisi wore the patina of success from Botswana’s unprecedented deal with De Beers recently clinched

In an interview on the sidelines of the US-Africa Business Summit, the company’s Global Head of Manufacturing, Sandeep Kolambekar, said beneficiation in Botswana can be accelerated by training young Batswana in diamond cutting and polishing. StarGems started operating in Botswana in October last year and immediately enrolled 72 Batswana for training in cutting and polishing diamonds and enrolled a second batch of 144 Batswana at the beginning of June this year.

Accelerating beneficiation

“We train them and ensure that they are certified in diamond cutting and polishing, said Kolambekar. “By the end of 2023, we want to have trained at least 500 Batswana in diamond cutting and polishing. We currently employ 150 people and want to increase that number.”

The aim of the company is to empower Batswana with cutting and polishing skills to prepare them for jobs in the diamond industry and so that they establish their own cutting and polishing firms, thus accelerating the country’s beneficiation efforts. Kolambekar said true beneficiation will be achieved when Botswana – which is the world’s largest producer of diamonds by value – has the right skills to extract rough diamonds, as well as to cut and polish the world’s rarest and largest of stones that are often discovered in the country.

Towards the complete story

“We want to get to a point where when selling a rare diamond somewhere, we can tell the story of a diamond that was mined in Botswana and cut and polished in Botswana as well as a piece of jewellery that was manufactured in Botswana,” he said. StarGems stole the spotlight at the US-Africa Trade Summit in Gaborone this week. The summit served as a powerful platform for over 1,000 influential business executives, investors, and government officials from the US and Africa.

Amidst the flurry of activities at the conference, StarGems Global captivated attendees with their unparalleled collection of exquisite diamonds. Kolambekar has noted how the summit provided an unprecedented opportunity for the company to forge crucial connections with potential investors and buyers, enabling the company to expand their operations in the diamond industry.

Sheer magnificence

“This exceptional gathering has afforded us an unparalleled platform to showcase the sheer magnificence of our diverse diamond range to a global audience,” he said. “We are eager to engage with potential investors and buyers, fostering invaluable partnerships that will propel our company to new heights. “The overwhelmingly response and the keen interest from attendees have reinforced our belief in the quality and craftsmanship of our diamonds. We are motivated to continue pushing boundaries and setting new standards of excellence.”

Shining in the afterglow

But if StarGem was an outstanding company, one particular guest stood out. President Mokgweetsi Masisi, shining in the afterglow of an unprecedented deal with De Beers that gained new concessions for Botswana, was expansive when he visited the StarGems exhibition stall. He praised the company and expressed unreserved admiration for its invaluable contribution to the country’s diamond industry. The resounding endorsement from such a prominent figure bolstered the company’s reputation further, and firmly established StarGem Global as a titan in the industry.

Beyond their dazzling diamond showcase, StarGems commitment to empowerment of Batswana and skills development also came under the spotlight. The company runs a specialised training facility that has successfully nurtured and honed the talents of over 100 Batswana. Looking ahead, StarGems Global aims to leverage the invaluable connections forged at the US-Africa Business Summit to explore novel avenues for expansion and solidify its position as an unrivalled force in the global diamond market.