Browns Jewellers

The browns story

Three Generations

OF FINE DIAMOND JEWELLERS

The Browns story began in 1934 when Grandpa Jack opened a boutique jewellery store in downtown Johannesburg. He was a talented and highly skilled goldsmith having been taught by his own grandfather.

Larry Brown is the current custodian of Browns, who continues to uphold Grandpa Jack’s legacy as a third generation jewellery designer.

Grandpa Jack and Granny Kate, Johannesburg, circa 1950’s

THE BROWNS

Angel Motif

Inspired by the first piece of jewellery our founder, Grandpa Jack, made for his wife, Granny Kate, in 1934.

The evolution of our Angel motif

Larry Brown, pictured with Charlize Theron, wearing a Browns Diamond Tennis Necklace

SOUTH AFRICA’S

Leading Designer Jeweller

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

— Leonardo da Vinci

Our signature designs include our Angel motif, symbolising love, guidance and protection.

The Original Protea Solitaire Diamond Ring®

Although imitated by jewellers across the world, this design remains registered and exclusive to Browns.

In celebration of our heritage, we created the first iconic South African solitaire diamond setting, The Protea.

SOUTH AFRICA’S

Most Awarded Jeweller

Larry Brown pictured with Myra Moses, Managing Director of our Workshop.

“I am proud to work in a traditionally male dominated field where 71% of our people are strong, beautiful, inspiring women, and 82% of our management team is female.”

— Myra Moses

Made by
South Africans
for
South Africans
and exported
to the rest of the World

FAMOUS

South African Diamonds

Incorporated into the Crown Jewels are stones cut from the magnificent Cullinan Diamond – the largest diamond ever found and the most celebrated diamond in the world.

Etienne Ferreira, Master Craftsman, pictured in our Johannesburg workshop

Because we are manufacturers, designers and online retailers our pricing is attractive.

THE 8C’s

OF A BROWNS DIAMOND

Less than 2% of the world’s diamonds qualify to be a Browns diamond.

1. Carat

Carat represents the weight of a diamond, not the size. This is why a 1 carat can vary in its surface area from one diamond to another.

0.50ct 5.2mm

1.00ct 6.5mm

1.50 7.4mm

2.00 8.2mm

3.00ct 8.8mm

4.00ct 9.4mm

5.00 11.2mm

2. Cut

All Browns diamonds have a triple excellent cut, meaning that the symmetry, polish and cut are of the highest precision. At Browns our diamonds are cut to maximise the brilliance, not the size.

BROWNS IDEAL

TOO SHALLOW

TOO DEEP

Be careful of badly cut diamonds, anything less than triple excellent compromises the diamond’s scintillation.

3. Clarity

At Browns we only accept diamonds with a clarity of SI2 and higher, ensuring that we do not compromise on its beauty.

Be careful of a diamond with a poor clarity grade, excessive inclusions directly affect the brilliance.

4. Colour

At Browns we only accept diamonds with a colour grade of K and higher. The more colourless the diamond, the greater its rarity and value.

L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Diamonds with a poor colour grade can appear slightly yellow instead of the desired brilliant white.

5. Certification

Browns offers confidence through dual certification and serialisation.

All of our engagement rings are engraved with a unique identity number. This number is cross referenced with the Browns Jewellery Certificate and the Independent Diamond Certificate. This gives you the peace of mind that the diamond you purchase is the diamond you are actually getting.

6. Contour

At Browns we pay special attention to the golden ratios, thereby ensuring that every diamond is perfectly proportioned to maximise its natural beauty.

Be careful of diamonds that are not cut to proportion. Often round diamonds are not perfectly round.

7. Character

We focus on every diamond’s unique characteristics. In this way the 8C’s come together in perfect harmony, resulting in the ultimate balance and beauty of a diamond.

In order to ensure balance we categorise our diamonds into excellent, exceptional and extraordinary

8. Created by Nature

At Browns we only sell natural diamonds. Our diamonds are ethically and responsibly sourced, mainly from Southern Africa, creating over 1 million jobs.

REAL IS RARE

5 YEAR BUY-BACK GUARANTEE

At Browns we have such confidence in the quality and value of our diamonds that we offer a 5 year Buy-Back Guarantee on diamond jewellery with a 1 carat diamond or more.

This means, that should you wish to sell your diamond jewellery after 5 years, we will buy it back from you.

GROW YOUR DIAMOND

We offer a unique Diamond Investment Programme, which allows you to reset your engagement ring. You can do this by either utilising your centre diamond in a new setting such as a Trilogy ring or exchanging your diamond for a larger more valuable one, only paying the difference.

LIFETIME AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEE

When you purchase your diamond from Browns you will receive a Browns Jewellery Certificate documenting the characteristics of your diamond. This allows us to offer you a lifetime authenticity guarantee.

UNIQUE IDENTITY

Each piece of diamond jewellery is engraved with a unique identity number allowing us to trace your diamond’s history from source to the finished piece. At Browns we subscribe to the Kimberley Process and support Fair Trade, therefore you can rest assured that your diamond comes from a legitimate source.

BROWNS

Loyalty Club

We want to nurture a lifetime relationship

with all of our clients, that is why we have our Loyalty Club.

Lifetime Diamond

Diamond

Platinum

Gold

Bronze

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS

DIAMONDS DO GOOD

THE BROWNS

Foundation

Commited to eliminating poverty through economic excellence

In line with our commitment to excellence, we provide bursaries and mentorship programmes to the smartest young South Africans, across the disciplines of Commerce, Engineering and jewellery making.

THE BROWNS

Teddy Bear Project

Every year we donate Browns teddy bears to orphaned and impoverished children around the country.

A beloved children's toy, this is a project that is close to our hearts.

THE BROWNS

PLUM TREE PROJECT

The diamond industry currently supports millions of families across Southern Africa. Mining is a lifeline for many African countries and others around the world, providing employment, essential infrastructure and education.

We are proud to be a part of this lifeline, and when you purchase your diamonds from Browns, you can rest assured that you are contributing to these families' well-being.

THE BROWNS

Angel Inspiration Story

“When we were children, our grandfather used to tell us that there were always angels looking after us – we just need to be able to hear them. Our Guardian Angel was inspired by the first piece of jewellery Grandpa Jack made for Granny Kate. Ever since then, we try to incorporate a Browns Angel into every piece of jewellery we make. This acts as a reminder that these guardians are always present.”

Three Generations

OF FINE DIAMOND JEWELLERS

The Browns story began in 1934 when Grandpa Jack opened a boutique jewellery store in downtown Johannesburg. He was a talented and highly skilled goldsmith having been taught by his own grandfather.

Larry Brown is the current custodian of Browns, who continues to uphold Grandpa Jack’s legacy as a third generation jewellery designer.

Grandpa Jack and Granny Kate, Johannesburg, circa 1950’s

THE BROWNS

Angel Motif

Inspired by the first piece of jewellery our founder, Grandpa Jack, made for his wife, Granny Kate, in 1934.

The evolution of our Angel motif

Larry Brown, pictured with Charlize Theron,
wearing a Browns Diamond Tennis Necklace

SOUTH AFRICA’S

Leading Designer Jeweller

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
— Leonardo da Vinci

Our signature designs include our Angel motif, symbolising love, guidance and protection.

The Original Protea
Solitaire Diamond Ring®

Although imitated by jewellers across the world, this design remains registered and exclusive to Browns.

In celebration of our heritage, we created the first iconic South African solitaire diamond setting, The Protea.

SOUTH AFRICA’S

Most Awarded Jeweller

Larry Brown pictured with Myra Moses,
Managing Director of our Workshop.

“I am proud to work in a traditionally male dominated field where 71% of our people are strong, beautiful, inspiring women, and 82% of our management team is female.”

— Myra Moses

Made by
South Africans
for
South Africans
and exported
to the rest of the World

FAMOUS

South African Diamonds

Incorporated into the Crown Jewels are stones cut from the magnificent Cullinan Diamond – the largest diamond ever found, the most celebrated diamond in the world.

Etienne Ferreira, Master Craftsman,
pictured in our Johannesburg workshop

Because we are manufacturers, designers and online retailers our pricing is attractive.

THE 8C’s

OF A BROWNS DIAMOND

Less than 2% of the world’s diamonds qualify to be a Browns diamond.

1. Carat

Carat represents the weight of a diamond, not the size. This is why a 1 carat can vary in its surface area from one diamond to another.

0.50ct 5.2mm

1.00ct 6.5mm

1.50 7.4mm

2.00 8.2mm

3.00ct 8.8mm

4.00ct 9.4mm

5.00 11.2mm

2. Cut

All Browns diamonds have a triple excellent cut, meaning that the symmetry, polish and cut are of the highest precision. At Browns our diamonds are cut to maximise the brilliance, not the size.

BROWNS IDEAL

TOO SHALLOW

TOO DEEP

Be careful of badly cut diamonds, anything less than triple excellent compromises the diamond’s scintillation.

3. Clarity

At Browns we only accept diamonds with a clarity of SI2 and higher, ensuring that we do not compromise on its beauty.

Be careful of a diamond with a poor clarity grade, excessive inclusions directly affect the brilliance.

4. Colour

At Browns we only accept diamonds with a colour grade of K and higher. The more colourless the diamond, the greater its rarity and value.

L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Diamonds with a poor colour grade can appear slightly yellow instead of the desired brilliant white.

5. Certification

Browns offers confidence through dual certification and serialisation.

6. Contour

At Browns we pay special attention to the golden ratios, thereby ensuring that every diamond is perfectly proportioned to maximise its natural beauty.

Be careful of diamonds that are not cut to proportion. Often round diamonds are not perfectly round.

7. Character

We focus on every diamond’s unique characteristics. In this way the 8C’s come together in perfect harmony, resulting in the ultimate balance and beauty of a diamond.

In order to ensure balance we categorise our diamonds into excellent, exceptional and extraordinary

8. Created by Nature

At Browns we only sell natural diamonds. Our diamonds are ethically and responsibly sourced, mainly from Southern Africa, creating over 1 million jobs.

REAL IS RARE

5 YEAR BUY-BACK GUARANTEE

At Browns we have such confidence in the quality and value of our diamonds that we offer a 5 year Buy-Back Guarantee on diamond jewellery with a 1 carat diamond or more.

This means, that should you wish to sell your diamond jewellery after 5 years, we will buy it back from you.

GROW YOUR DIAMOND

LIFETIME AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEE

UNIQUE IDENTITY

BROWNS

Loyalty Club

We want to nurture a lifetime relationship

with all of our clients, that is why we have our Loyalty Club.

Lifetime Diamond

Diamond

Platinum

Gold

Bronze

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS

DIAMONDS DO GOOD

THE BROWNS

Foundation

In line with our commitment to excellence, we provide bursaries and mentorship programmes to the smartest young South Africans, across the disciplines of Commerce, Engineering and jewellery making.

THE BROWNS

Teddy Bear Project

Every year we donate Browns teddy bears to orphaned and impoverished children around the country.

A beloved children's toy, this is a project that is close to our hearts.

THE BROWNS

PLUM TREE PROJECT

We are proud to be a part of this lifeline, and when you purchase your diamonds from Browns, you can rest assured that you are contributing to these families' well-being.

THE BROWNS

Angel Inspiration Story