Leo De Beer

Why it is called De Beers owes to the history of the mining and jewelry company. De Beers Mining Company was established in the 1880s by British businessman Cecil Rhodes. Initially, Rhodes provided water pumping systems to miners in South Africa before he began to purchase mines. One of the mines that Rhodes bought was on the site of a farm previously owned by brothers Diederik Arnoldus de Beer and Johannes Nicolaas de Beer. Shop a diverse assortment of De Beers jewelry on 1stDibs.

Many jewelry lovers believe that De Beers is worth it. De Beers is among the world’s largest diamond suppliers by volume. The company has played a significant role in all parts of the diamond world over the years. In 1940, for example, the company partnered with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to market the 4Cs. This system — the 4Cs being color, clarity, cut and carat weight — was established by former jeweler and founder of the GIA, Robert M. Shipley, and lays out the guidelines determining how diamonds are graded. Today, De Beers engagement rings, wedding rings, tennis bracelets and other pieces are widely admired. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in De Beers jewelry is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find De Beers jewelry and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

Yes, De Beers is genuinely considered to be a luxury brand. Most people define a luxury jewelry brand as one that produces pieces out of high-quality gemstones and precious metals and prices them accordingly. De Beers fits this definition. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of De Beers jewelry.

No, De Beers is not still a monopoly. Although the South African jewelry maker is still one of the leading suppliers and jewelry houses in the world, it has not been able to largely control diamond prices since the early 2000s due to changes in the market. The shift occurred largely due to an influx of new, smaller suppliers located outside of South Africa. Shop a diverse assortment of De Beers diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.

Where De Beers gets its diamonds varies. The diamond supplier operates mines in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. De Beers guarantees that all of its gemstones are ethically sourced and conflict-free, and it employs transparency policies that allow customers to know the origins of the diamonds they purchase. Shop a variety of De Beers diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.