The Diamond Hunter

From exploring rural African mines to hand-delivering clients the world’s most precious gemstones, sourcing diamonds is an extraordinary adventure

- Andrew Coxon

Growing up on the British Isles, as a schoolboy I was always interested in mineralogy, so when my family was posted to Brazil, I was quickly drawn to the world of coloured gemstones after being introduced to my mother’s favourite jeweller. It was my job, according to my father, to stop my mother from adding to her collection, but the jeweller easily distracted me with a sack of uncut aquamarines. After sorting through the pile, she invited me to select five pieces that were then cut and polished. That was the moment I fell in love with gemstones and when I was first told that De Beers was the best diamond company in the world. Fast forward to today and I’m the president of De Beers Institute of Diamonds.