The Friendship Hidden in a Gemstone

When people hear “Namibia,” their thoughts often go straight to the famous Big Five: lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino and, if you’re lucky enough to spot it, the ever-elusive leopard. Seeing These animals in the wild is an unforgettable experience, and yes, the leopard is as difficult to find as my reading glasses on a Monday morning.

But Namibia is more than wildlife. It’s also a land of cultures, home to around a dozen different ethnic groups:

Ovambo, Herero, Damara, San, Nama, Kavango, Himba, and many more. Each adds its own rhythm, colour, and Tradition to the vibrant soul of the country.

And then, of course, there are the diamonds. Namibia’s diamond history began in 1908, when a railway worker near Lüderitz picked up glittering stones from the desert sand

and unknowingly sparked a treasure hunt. From the famous Sperrgebiet — the “forbidden zone” — to today’s high-tech marine mining off the Skeleton Coast, diamonds have always

been a sparkling part of Namibia’s story.

Yet few people know about Namibia’s other treasures hidden in the earth: aquamarine, amethyst, pietersite, garnet, and my personal favourite, tourmaline. My love affair with gemstones began in a rather unromantic way: all my jewellery was stolen. (Admittedly, it wasn’t much, but the sentimental value was priceless.) Around that time, I met Hannes, who had moved from Germany a little before I did. He happens to prospect and dig for tourmalines, and over the years he has unearthed stones so breathtaking that I couldn’t help but catch his enthusiasm. Tourmalines, with their dazzling range of colours — vibrant greens, dreamy blues, delicate pinks, and the famous watermelon mix — quickly became my weakness.

Our friendship grew out of long conversations About Namibia, our dogs, leatherwork (Hannes is also a leather specialist), and, of course, the irresistible sparkle of stones.

Together with my friend and goldsmith, Frieda Lühl, I began turning these gems into jewellery. Each piece tells its own story: unearthed by Hannes, designed with Frieda, and

infused with the spirit of Namibia.

Two years ago, at Myeisha Leather Products, we even created the Diamond Range — a line of bags featuring a tourmaline in our coin logo, symbolizing Namibia’s gems,

wildlife, landscapes, and cultures. It felt like weaving my personal journey directly into the brand. And tourmaline is more than just beautiful. Often called the stone of calm, it’s believed to soothe the nervous system, ease tension, and even help with ailments like rheumatism.

Personally, even if you don’t believe in the healing powers, one look at its sparkle in the sunlight is enough to warm your heart and carry a little piece of Namibia with you every day.

So yes, sometimes gemstones create more than just jewellery. They create stories, friendships, and connections — just as they did for me.

Do you already have a Namibian gemstone with a Story to tell?

deardiary@myeishanamibia.com

Until next time,

From Sandra’s pen, Namibia