This document provides biographical information about Louise Serafini Swanepoel and her African Dream jewelry collection. It discusses her family history in the jewelry industry in South Africa dating back to the 1920s. It also outlines her educational background and career, including graduating with honors in jewelry design and becoming a qualified gemologist. The document lists many of her awards and exhibitions for her jewelry designs over the past few decades both in South Africa and internationally.

1. Louise Serafini Swanepoel
African Dream:
A Reflection in Jewellery
I have based this collection on the elements that I love in Africa - its raw beauty and texture, its untamed
wildness, its vibrant colour, its soul and its secrets.
Many life forms in Africa have evolved their own means of preservation, which often involves the art of
camouflage - so in a way they adorn themselves, or wear their own jewellery. Sometimes to protect,
sometimes to distract and sometimes just simply to show off!
Many of these mechanisms are quite remarkable and were incredibly exciting to discover and as such have
been a great inspiration to me which I have reflected in my work for you to share and enjoy.
Curriculum Vitae
The Serafini name has been synonymous with the Jewellery industry for almost a century. In the 1920’s, my
grandfather Diego Serafini, was brought out to South Africa from Antwerp, to the dusty town of Kimberly, to
teach the South Africans how to cut diamonds.
Alice Serafini, Diego’s daughter (my aunt) became one of the fist woman diamond cutters in the country.
My father Eugene Serafini (who’s name appears in the diamond dictionary) was well known as the rough
diamond buyer, who was instrumental in putting the rough diamond business on the map in Basotholand,
now known as Lesotho. As the granddaughter and now the 3rd generation, I continue in my capacity as
Gemmologist and Designer Goldsmith under the banner of Serafini Design Workshop established in the mid
1980’s.
Born: 1957 in Ghana Accra (Ivory Coast – Africa)
Mother: Hungarian
Father: Flemish of Italian decent
Schooling both in the UK and S.A. - Matriculated in Bloemfontein 1974
1975 - Started four-year degree in Industrial Design followed by an Honours
degree in Jewellery Design (graduated Cum Laude) at the University of
Stellenbosch
1979 - Received Maggie Loubscher bursary
1980 - Studied at the Gemological Institute of America in Los Angeles USA.
Qualified as a Gemmologist in Coloured Stones, Pearls and Diamonds
1981 - Worked for Gold Creations Manufacturing Jewelers in Cape Town, as the company's
Designer Gemmologist and Factory Manager for five years
1985 - Started own studio under the name of “Serafini Design Workshop”.
1995 - Started Gemmology Department at Cape Town for John Scottnis Technicon and continued to

2. lecture part time until 2000
Currently - Still continue to design and consult under the banner of Serafini Design Workshop cc.
Education
University of Stellenbosch - BA Industrial Design (Fine Arts) 1978
BA Honors Industrial Design (Fine Arts) Cum Laude 1979
Gemological Institute of America - Graduate Gemologist (GIA) 1980
Awards & Exhibitions
1977 - Commendation Design Award by de Beers
1984 & 1985 - De Beers First Prize
1994 - 3rd place American Swiss Competition (first competition entered since having
two daughters in 1987 and 1989)
1994 - American Swiss 1st Prize – Overall winner of the Open Category
1995 - Jewellex Finalist
1995 - Selected as External Examiner for Technicon final year students
1996 - American Swiss Designer of the Year (South Africa)
1996 - Jewellex Finalist
1996 - Jewellex Overall Winner
1997 - Jewellex Finalist
1997 - Jewellex 2nd Place Professional Category
1997 - Judge in American Swiss Competition
1998 - Selected as External Examiner of Technicon Honours students
1999 - Exhibited in Vencenza Italy, Monaco, Paris, Guernsey and Hungary
2000 - By invitation, Exhibited in Guernsey and London, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix and
Toronto.
2000 - Facilitator in the de Beers Shining Lights Awards
2001 - By invitation, Exhibited in Guernsey and London
2001 - Guest Lecturer for Anglo Gold Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban
2001 - Exhibited at the Gallery of Jewels in San Francisco, U.S.A.
2001-2003 - Exhibited at Shamwari Game Reserve, Port Elizabeth
2002 - Exhibited in Fort Lordidale Indianapolis U.S.A. and San Francisco
2002 - Work put into two more branches of Gallery of Jewels in the U.S.A.
2002-2004 - Exhibited in Plettenberg Bay
2003 - Selected as Judge in Anglo Gold Competition
2003 - Represented South Africa at Earles Court in London with a Collection of Jewellery
2003 - Exhibited by invitation in Malta
2004 - In April assisted with De Beers Shining Lights Awards as a Facilitator
2005 - March Guest Lecturer for Anglo Gold Durban, Johannesburg & Cape Town.
2005 - Judge for Anglo Gold Ashanti Competition
2006 - Collection marketed & Showcased in France
2006-2010 - Work Showcased at Scarlett Gallery, Greyton
2007-2012+ - Work Showcased at Cape Point Ostrich Farm, Cape Town
2008-2009 - Work Showcased at Grande Provence in Franschoek
2008-2009 - Exhibited at Blue Mountain Lodge, Stellenbosch
2008-2010 - Work Showcased at Diamond Design, Constantia Village, Cape Town
2009-2010 - Exhibited at Stanford Gallery, Stanford
2009-2011 - Work Showcased in Riebeek Kasteel
2010-2012 - Work Showcased at Dorp Street Gallery, Church Street, Stellenbosch
2010-2012+ - Work Showcased at Morrison Jewellers, Cape Town
2012 Work Showcased at Baroque, Tokai, Cape Town
2012-2014 Work Showcased at Christoff Waterfront and Mount Nelson, Cape Town
2013-2015 Work Showcased at Casa Labia, Muizenberg, Cape Town
2013+ Work Showcased at St Georges Jewellers, Simons Town
2013+ Work Showcased at Ellis Gallery @ The Noordhoek Emporium
2015+ External Examiner for University of Technology, Cape Town
2015+ Work Showcased at Fluers, Hermanus

3. 2015+ Work Showcased at Artvark, Kalkbay, Cape Town