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Finestar Opens Diamond Manufacturing Facility in Johannesburg
It joins the company’s other manufacturing facilities globally, including in India, Botswana, and Namibia.
Finestar Diamonds and Jewellery has opened a diamond polishing and manufacturing facility in South Africa.
Johannesburg—Finestar Diamonds and Jewellery has opened a new diamond manufacturing facility in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The new facility is located in the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct within the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a development near the OR Tambo International Airport.
The purpose of the SEZ is to attract investment, boost manufacturing, and grow the economy.
It offers benefits such as VAT exemptions and infrastructure that eases operational and financial challenges for manufacturers.
The move is a step toward advancing South Africa’s beneficiation goals, said the company, which are focused on strengthening local diamond processing and creating employment opportunities.
“When properly supported, beneficiation is not just about polishing diamonds, it is about unearthing and unleashing potential,” said Nilesh Chhabria, chief operating officer at Finestar.
“Finestar’s decision to locate within the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct at the Special Economic Zone is a deliberate growth strategy, leaning on the benefits of a world-class infrastructure, policy support, an enabling environment that fosters collaboration and innovation with our strategic partners, and the right ecosystem for scaling operations and doubling current investment.”
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The new facility is located in the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct within the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a development near the OR Tambo International Airport.
The purpose of the SEZ is to attract investment, boost manufacturing, and grow the economy.
It offers benefits such as VAT exemptions and infrastructure that eases operational and financial challenges for manufacturers.
The move is a step toward advancing South Africa’s beneficiation goals, said the company, which are focused on strengthening local diamond processing and creating employment opportunities.
“When properly supported, beneficiation is not just about polishing diamonds, it is about unearthing and unleashing potential,” said Nilesh Chhabria, chief operating officer at Finestar.
“Finestar’s decision to locate within the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct at the Special Economic Zone is a deliberate growth strategy, leaning on the benefits of a world-class infrastructure, policy support, an enabling environment that fosters collaboration and innovation with our strategic partners, and the right ecosystem for scaling operations and doubling current investment.”
Since entering South Africa in 2022, Finestar said it has created 46 jobs, more than half of which are held by women.
It aims to employ 90 people in total.
Finestar has also rolled out training programs, with 22 employees currently learning multiple stages of the diamond polishing and planning process.
“Finestar looks forward to building on South Africa’s proud legacy of diamond excellence while focusing firmly on the opportunities of the present—creating value, empowering people, and shaping a brighter future for all stakeholders in the diamond ecosystem,” said Chhabria.
The company held a launch event in September, and senior government officials, industry leaders, and dignitaries, including representatives from the South African government, the Indian High Commission, De Beers, and the State Diamond Trader, were among those in attendance.
Finestar was founded in 1995.
The manufacturer, a De Beers Sightholder and Rio Tinto Select Diamantaire, is known for its emphasis on traceability, sustainability, and community-focused initiatives.
The company operates manufacturing facilities around the world, including in India, Botswana, and Namibia.
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