About

From Cape Town to 5th Avenue

Whether its an engagement, an anniversary, a special milestone, or a just because celebration, life is never short of meaningful moments. Shimansky is still in the early stage of its journey, with its eyes set on the international market. We aspire for our jewelry to be worn by people who understand the special moments in their life, worldwide. The quest for perfection is never-ending, and we believe that the best is yet to come.

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Founder, Yair Shimansky

Yair Shimansky’s pieces are precious amulets baring a rich history behind every carefully selected facet.

As a young man at the tender age of 22, Yair Shimansky embarked on a two-year journey to Japan, which served not only as a rite of passage into the world of diamonds and jewelry, but also as a major learning curve. It was here that he studied the art of diamond cutting and polishing, and where the Japanese culture of perfection made a life-long impression on him. Having learnt the intricacies of diamond qualities and different cuts, he was armed with a unique perspective and experience in life, starting in South Africa, with a never-ending pursuit of perfection. It was this pursuit that lead him to the sourcing of his own rough diamonds (after carefully examining the colour and cuts of the stones presented to him by suppliers, he realised they did not realise their full potential). This pursuit for perfection is something he carries with him throughout his journey, to every touchpoint. No jewelry creation will be presented unless it has realised its full potential.
A pioneer in the diamond and jewellery trade, Shimansky has been named the “Platinum King” by the media, as he lay the groundwork for the use of platinum in South Africa. His invested interest and involvement in all areas of the business is one of the major contributors to the company’s success.
By choosing a Shimansky jewelry creation, it allows you to create and own your own moment that will reward you through your lifetime, and continue for generations to come. The jewelry creation is a constant reminder of the special moment it represents and has the magic to take you to that special moment every time.

A process sketch of Shimanskys signature Millenium Engagement Ring.

While Shimansky designed jewelry for his clients, the manufacturing process was outsourced, and he soon realised that in order to deliver higher quality in a consistent manner, a hands-on approach should be taken. During a business trip to the US in the early 1990s, Shimansky discovered platinum, the most precious metal of all. This sought-after metal had only just started gaining popularity after it was banned for the manufacturing of jewellery during World War II. South Africa is home to 80% of the world’s platinum. It was an instant match, which made Shimansky the South African platinum pioneer. Today, Shimansky is among the world’s top platinum specialists.

The same approach has been adopted for diamonds. In the early stages Shimansky bought them from diamond dealers, but became dissatisfied with the quality of the diamonds and their grading. Despite the many challenges that came along, where every mistake can cost you dearly, Shimansky entered the world of diamond cutting and polishing. Unique among jewellers, Shimansky has a license to buy rough diamonds and other precious metals direct from South African mines, leading to a fully integrated eco-system with natural treasures being created under full supervision and quality assurance.