Why should I buy designer fine jewelry from Shimansky?
At Shimansky we source our diamonds directly from the mines in South Africa. Unlike most jewelers, we have a license to buy diamonds direct from the mines, spending time there regularly during the year to choose the most suitable rough stones for our needs. We have our own in-house master crafters who cut and polish the stones to exacting standards of quality - rated as some of the best in the world. And we set the stones in signature designs that you won't find anywhere else. For a truly unique and ethical designer jewelry piece, Shimansky stands out.
How long has Shimansky been in business?
The Shimansky story began nearly 30 years ago, when founder and CEO, Yair Shimansky, arrived in South Africa after spending two years in Japan. Yair started designing and crafting jewelry which he sold at a beachfront flea market in South Africa for one year before opening a small outlet in a popular shopping mall. This lead to the opening of a full Shimansky jewelry store two years later.
I have never made an online purchase before, how can I be sure that Shimansky is safe?
Shopping on shimansky.com is very safe, and you can be assured that we use industry-standard encryption technology to ensure your data is private.
How can I be sure that your website is secure?
The easiest way to tell whether a site is safe to shop from is to look at the web address. A site address that starts with HTTP is NOT secure, but one that starts with HTTPS IS secure.
Do you have physical stores where I can see the jewelry in person?
There is a Shimansky flagship store on 5th Avenue in New York, and one at the world-famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, based at the Clock Tower. We have several other stores around South Africa too.
Do you have diamond cutters and polishers on staff?
From a rough diamond and a design idea, all the way through the extraordinary process of expert crafting, to a finished creation of great beauty – every step of the Shimansky designer jewelry process is completed in-house, to ensure that the very best quality work is realized. Each rough diamond is hand-selected for its individual characteristics, before it is cut and polished by the highly-skilled team of Shimansky master cutters and polishers. The Shimansky diamond cutters are able to transform rough diamonds into exquisite creations of fire, like tiny natural miracles that take place in our factories every day.
Where is your head office?
The Shimansky head office is currently in Cape Town, South Africa. Although the founder and head designer, Yair Shimansky, operates out of the New York, 5th Avenue Showroom.
Can I buy from you if I live outside the US?
Yes, we accept payment via PayPal for customers not living in the United Sates. All transactions are charged in USD. Please contact us for more information.
Can I get international delivery on my order?
Yes, we partner with leading suppliers to offer convenient delivery to international destinations. See below for more information.
Why are your prices in US dollars?
Diamonds, Tanzanite, Gold and Platinum are dollar-based commodities. We accept cash payment in all major currencies (GBP, EURO, USD and ZAR). Should you pay with a credit card, your bank will manage the conversion from your currency to USD. Please be advised that your bank will charge additional fees for this service outside of our control. We recommend that you contact your bank for more information.
Can you help me keep the engagement ring a surprise?
With pleasure! We understand that diamond jewelry is often given for special occasions such as an engagement or anniversary. Please let us know what we can do to help you maintain your surprise. Special arrangements can be made like discreet packaging or holding the jewelry for you.
What if I need additional assistance?
Our customer care team is on hand to assist you with any query you may have. We welcome you to contact a Customer Care Consultant directly by phone Toll Free on (800) 601-0783 if calling from within the United States, or +1-212-685-7367 between the hours of 9am and 6pm EST Monday through Friday. You can also whatsapp message, use our onsite chat function or email us at any time. We are here to help.
How can I contact a customer service representative?
There are several ways to contact us. You can call, whatsapp message use our onsite chat function or email us at any time. You will find all these methods available on our store listings page here.
How is Shimansky different from other jewelers that claim they offer conflict-free diamonds?
Shimansky is one of the very rare true 'mine to retail' jewelers as Yair Shimansky and his team have a licence to source rough diamonds, personally, from the small mines in South Africa. As such they can guarantee that these are sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions.
What are your business hours?
In New York, we are open Monday-Friday 09:30am to 06:00pm. You can make special arrangements for an appointment on a Saturday, by contacting us. The Cape Town V&A Waterfront showrooms are open 7 days a week from 9:00am to 9:00pm. For more details and all the times, visit our store listings page here.