Dr Petré Prins
PhD Geochemistry, MBA.
Founder, geologist, gemmologist. Forty four years building South Africa’s leading independent diamond house, from a De Beers laboratory in 1975 to the heritage rooms of Huguenot House.
A glowworm in the dark,
and a love affair born.
In 1975, in the dimly lit De Beers Laboratory at the University of Stellenbosch, Petré Prins first held a diamond in his hand. As he rolled it between thumb and forefinger, it became alive, like a glowworm in the dark, and a love affair with diamonds was born.
For 15 years after that, he researched the mysteries of gemstones, taught at universities, and, in 1982, established Prins and Prins Diamonds.
He built his business on integrity, trust and knowledge. After 44 years, Prins and Prins is the leading independent diamond house in Cape Town.
Forty four years
under one roof.
Dr Petré Prins registered his company in 1982 and has since developed it into South Africa’s leading supplier of natural diamonds and gemstones. To eliminate middlemen, he established the Aurum Art Atelier, where designers and goldsmiths have created bespoke jewellery for nearly four decades.
Today, this is one of the few workshops in Cape Town where jewellery is still made by hand.
In 1993 he acquired the historic Huguenot House, completed its full restoration, and established a diamond cutting facility in the original basement. That same space is now home to the Prins and Prins Gem and Jewellery Museum.
A scientist, a teacher,
a diamond house.
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1969 to 1980
University Research and Teaching
Postgraduate research at Cambridge. Recognised with the Corstorphine Medal (Geol. Soc. of S.A.) and the S J Shand Medal (Univ. Stellenbosch.) Senior lecturer in geology at the Univ. Stellenbosch.
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1975
The First Spark
In the De Beers Laboratory in Stellenbosch, Petré Prins holds a rough diamond for the first time. The career that follows is already decided.
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1980
Joins Octha Diamonds
Moved from academia to join Octha Diamonds, which laid the foundation for the future.
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1982
Prins and Prins is founded
A new company built on three principles: integrity, trust and knowledge.
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1993
Huguenot House
Acquires the historic building, completes its restoration, and establishes a diamond cutting factory in the original wine cellar.
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Today
A diamond house under one roof
Gemmologists, designers, goldsmiths, jewellery consultants, showrooms and a museum, all inside one heritage building. Numerous PlatAfrica awards. A worldwide client base.
A passion for perfection requires gem experts on the bench, the best designers available, and goldsmiths who are both qualified and dedicated craftsmen.
Everything you need,
under one roof.
Diamond and gemstone merchants. An on-site gemstone laboratory. A jewellery design studio. A goldsmith atelier. Private consulting offices. Public and private showrooms. A museum of gems and jewellery.
Walk Through Huguenot HouseWalk in or make
a private appointment.
Browse our showrooms without obligation. Discuss in private, a piece, a diamond or a commission with one of our GIA consultants.