Rough Diamond Digital Course

Rough Diamond Digital Course

The same methodology that has trained diamond dealers, jewellers, and industry professionals across South Africa — now available online, at your own pace, from wherever you are. 14 lessons. Lifetime access. A credential that opens doors.

The diamond
industry, in your
hands
 — anywhere.

“The diamond industry has no patience for guesswork. This course gives you the eyes to read a stone — wherever you are in the world.”

The online course delivers the full CXD curriculum — the same knowledge base that underpins our in-person masterclass — through a structured 14-lesson digital campus you can access on any device, at any hour, at whatever pace suits your life.

It’s not a shortcut. It’s a complete education in rough diamond evaluation, built for people who can’t travel to the South Coast but refuse to compromise on the depth of what they learn. Every lesson is packed with expert knowledge developed over 30 years in the trade.

And when questions come up — as they always do — you have direct WhatsApp access to your instructor. Not a chatbot. Not a forum. A human who has been in this industry for decades.

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rough-diamond-digital-course

All-Inclusive Course

Investment R5,500

Includes DDL assistance, online campus access & internationally recognized certificate 

You don’t need to be
near Margate to learn.

Curious Minds

No prior experience needed. We start from the beginning and build to professional level.

Aspiring Diamond Dealers

Get the knowledge and certificate you need to apply for your DDL — from anywhere in SA.

Investors & Collectors

Learn to assess what you’re buying — and protect yourself from costly mistakes.

Mining & Industry Professionals

Formalise your knowledge with a recognised credential and fill in the gaps.

Jewellers & Gemologists

Add rough diamond evaluation to your existing skills and open new revenue streams.

Career Changers

The diamond trade rewards knowledge. This is your entry point into a prestigious industry.

Not just a course.
mentor in your pocket.

There are online diamond courses. And then there’s one built on thirty years of real-world experience, with a human instructor who answers your WhatsApp messages personally.

🎓

14 Comprehensive Lessons

Complete curriculum covering everything from diamond formation to market pricing and dealer licensing.

📱

WhatsApp Mentoring

Direct access to our expert instructors via WhatsApp for ongoing support and guidance.

🏆

International Certificate

Earn a globally recognized certification in Rough Diamond Evaluation & Grading.

♾️

Lifetime Access

Study at your own pace with unlimited access to our digital campus forever.

🏠

Study Anywhere

Learn from the comfort of your home or office. No travel required, no fixed schedules.

📋

Dealer License Support

Get assistance with applying for your diamond dealer license as part of the course.

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Every lesson.
Every angle.
The whole picture.

From the geological event that creates a diamond to the Rapaport price list that values it — this curriculum covers the complete rough diamond value chain. Each lesson builds on the last, and each one ends with a quiz to lock in what you’ve learned.

01
Diamond Formation & Geology

How diamonds form 150km below the earth’s surface and make their journey upward over billions of years.

02
Crystal Growth & Structure

Diamond crystal systems, habit, and how structure affects evaluation decisions.

04
Mining & Extraction Methods

Kimberlite, alluvial, marine — the methods used to bring diamonds from the ground to the market.

03
Physical & Optical Properties

The scientific properties that make diamonds unique — hardness, dispersion, refractive index and more.

05
The 4 Cs for Rough & Polished

The complete grading framework applied to both uncut and finished stones — side by side.

06
Professional Tool Usage

Mastering the gem loupe, microscope, and UV penlight — identification, technique, and what to look for.

07
Rough Shape Analysis

How to read morphology, predict cut potential, and estimate yield before a stone is touched by a wheel.

08
Authenticity Testing

Reliable, field-ready methods to distinguish real diamonds from simulants and synthetics.

09
Quality Sorting & Categorisation

Professional techniques for sorting diamonds into gem, near-gem and commercial grade parcels.

10
Fluorescence Effects

What fluorescence is, how to detect it, and exactly how it impacts diamond value in the real market.

11
Cutting & Polishing Process

The complete transformation from rough to finished stone — planning, sawing, bruting, polishing.

12
Advanced Equipment

Sarine systems, OGI systems, colorimeters, and professional microscopes — the industry’s high-tech toolkit.

13
Diamond Industry History

The evolution of diamond mining and trading — the De Beers system, cartel dynamics, and modern markets.

14
Market Pricing, Tenders & Valuation

Using Rapaport and IDEX price lists, buying from small-scale miners, and navigating the tender house process.

Online or in-person?
Both lead to the same place.

The online course is the complete CXD curriculum — ideal if you can’t travel to Margate, prefer to learn at your own pace, or want to build your foundation before coming in person. The in-person Masterclass adds two days of hands-on training with real rough diamonds, in a private studio setting with a maximum of 3 students. Both include DDL guidance and the same recognised certificate.

Study From Anywhere

Online Digital Course

R5,500 · self-paced

  • Complete 14-lesson digital curriculum
  • Lifetime Digital Campus access
  • SADPMR-recognised certificate
  • DDL application guidance
  • WhatsApp mentoring
  • Interactive quizzes · no final exam
  • Study on any device, anywhere
  • Digital reference materials

Private Studio · Margate KZN

In-Person Masterclass

R15,500 · 2-day private

  • Everything in the Online Course, plus:
  • 2-day hands-on training with real rough diamonds
  • Private session — maximum 3 students
  • All professional evaluation tools provided
  • Personalised instruction at your pace
  • Flexible scheduling — your dates
  • Practical assessment & certificate on Day 2
  • Priority WhatsApp support

Your certificate is
the key to your
Diamond Dealer License.

The Diamond Dealer License (DDL) is issued by the SADPMR — and it’s your legal right to buy and sell rough diamonds in South Africa. This course gives you the knowledge and the credential to apply. We guide you through every step of the process.

SADPMR application fees are R5,000 (individual) or R10,000 (company), paid directly to the regulator. Valid for 5 years.

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Complete Your Course 

Earn your internationally recognised certificate in rough diamond evaluation.

DDL Application Guidance

We walk you through the full SADPMR documentation checklist and requirements.

Submit to SADPMR
 
Individual fee: R5,000. Company fee: R10,000. Valid for 5 years.

Trade Legally

Buy, sell and deal in rough diamonds with full regulatory compliance.

All you need
is curiosity.

No prior diamond knowledge required. We built this course to be accessible from day one — wherever you are and whatever your background.

By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of the rough diamond journey, from their geological origins to their market value. You will be equipped with the expertise to evaluate rough diamonds and an appreciation for their beauty and significance.

🌐

Basic English

Understanding of English language

📱

Device

Cellphone, tablet, or laptop

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Valid ID

Proof of identity or passport

📶

Internet Access

Reliable internet or data connection

🌍 Origin & Formation

Discover the incredible natural processes that create diamonds deep within the Earth over billions of years.

⛏️ Mining & Extraction

Explore cutting-edge techniques and technologies used to extract rough diamonds from their natural environments.

🔍 Professional Evaluation

Master the skills to assess quality and potential using industry-standard tools and techniques.

🌐 Global Industry

Navigate the dynamics of worldwide diamond markets, trade practices, and consumer trends.

💰 Market Pricing

Learn professional pricing methods using Rapaport and IDEX price lists for maximum profitability.

💎 Cutting & Polishing

Understand the intricate transformation process from rough stone to brilliant finished diamond.

The industry is waiting.
Your education starts today.

WhatsApp us to enrol — we’ll send you payment details, and get you started within 24 hours. No intake dates, no waiting. You begin when you’re ready.

INVESTMENT

R5,500

LESSONS

14 Comprehensive

ACCESS

Lifetime

SCHEDULE

Fully Self-Paced

SUPPORT

WhatsApp Mentoring

Enrolment is open — your campus access sent within 60 minutes of payment.

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