About Us
A story only you can wear
We were born from the land where time is etched in stone, and diamonds are pulled from dust and dream.
1896 is not just a year. It’s a moment when the world shifted.
Where gold shaped cities, and diamonds ignited empires. When tradition began to dance with possibility, and a new kind of future began to shimmer.
We carry that legacy forward. With quiet power and unshakeable poise. Our jewellery is not just crafted, it is forged from legacy and vision.
From story, from science, from soul. It is awakened. It is unearthed. It is made manifest. It is cut with intention and meaning And worn as truth.
This is fine jewellery you can live in. Made to be worn in the rhythm of your every day. Not locked away- but celebrated, And enjoyed. And loved.
We return to origin. To warm earth and wind-sculpted stone. To light that moves like liquid across skin. To texture and silhouette.
This is Africa, as feeling. As form. As memory. We don’t chase trends. We honour time. We innovate with reverence, and design for those who dream.
This is where heritage becomes future. Where elegance becomes instinct. Where Africa becomes art.
Welcome to 1896.
A story only you can wear.
Welcome to 1896
1896 is a new kind of luxury, one that brings together over a century of South African craftmanship with modern values, innovation, and forward-thinking design.
Named after a pivotal moment in the Progressive Era,1896 stands at the intersection of heritage and invention, blending traditional craftsmanship with future-facing materials
like certified lab-grown diamonds and gold vermeil. Each piece is designed with care and intention; to be worn, lived in, and passed on as instant heirlooms for a new generation.
Our brand icon also has its own story. It is inspired by the rare hearts and arrows phenomenon, which you only see in perfectly cut round brilliant diamonds. When you look through the bottom of the diamond, you see eight hearts in perfect symmetry and from the top, eight arrows radiating out.
Fewer than 1% of diamonds have this flawless pattern, and it is a symbol of precision, balance and enduring beauty. For us, the hearts and arrows are more than a design detail. They represent the values that guide every piece we create - clarity, care, and a bold elegance that’s made to be worn and loved.
At its core, 1896 believes that luxury should be personal. Jewellery should reflect identity, not trends. It should hold meaning, not just sparkle. Whether it’s a minimalist solitaire, a modern classic, or a bold statement piece, each design honours the artistry of detail and the power of self-expression.