Roger Lappeman comes from four generations of diamantaires on both sides of his family. In fact, the name Lappeman originates from the gem cutting process of ‘lapping’. Roger’s experience in the diamond sector spans five decades.

 

This is his story:

 

Having been born into a family of diamantaires, by age 19, Roger, already a highly skilled cutter and polisher, was accredited by De Beers to attend their diamond sites and was accepted as a member of the Master Diamond Cutters Association.

 

Having gained expertise in the cutting and polishing of large diamonds in South Africa, Roger went on to spend a year in Brazil and in Israel, focusing on the polishing of small and fancy shaped diamonds. He then moved to Belgium for four years where he expanded his knowledge in international rough and polished diamond trading.

 

Returning to South Africa in the early 1980s, Roger co-authored a training manual that was recognized at the time by the South African Department of Manpower as a benchmark guide for the cutting and polishing of small sized diamonds. Roger became a site holder in his own right and ultimately had 7 diamond factories, each specializing in different areas. There were five factories in Johannesburg, one polishing fancy shapes, the second polishing large diamonds the third for automated cutting and polishing, the fourth for laser cutting and cleaving and the fifth factory was dedicated to the training of deaf people in the art of cutting and polishing all shapes of diamonds.  He also had a specialized diamond sawing plant in Bronkhorstspruit while the main factory situated in Pietersburg focused on the polishing small diamonds. The Pietersburg factory grew into one of the largest diamond cutting facilities outside of India and at one stage the organization employed over a thousand workers.

 

During the mid 1980s and early 1990s, Roger was elected by his peers to serve as an Executive Committee Member of both the Diamond Club and the Master Diamond Cutters’ Association of South Africa, and was regularly included in delegations representing these organisations at international diamond symposia and congresses.

 

In 1988 Roger was selected by De Beers from their worldwide pool of site holders to supply the 29,300 polished diamonds that they required as gifts for their Centenary Celebrations.

 

In the early ‘90s the Russian Commerce and Industry envoy, based in South Africa, introduced Roger to the head of the Russian diamond industry. This led to an invitation to buy diamonds directly in Moscow and Yakutsk (Siberia). On the recommendation of the Russians, Roger was mandated to compile feasibility studies for Moldova and The Czech Republic and to advise on the establishment of a diamond cutting industry in these respective countries.

 

By the early 2000s, Roger had become aware of developments in gem quality laboratory grown diamonds and recognising its future importance in the industry set about building a relationship with the three frontrunners at the time: Gemesis (USA), Apollo (USA) and New Age Diamonds (Russia). He became the first regular client of Gemesis - eventually buying over 10,000 carats of rough diamonds. He was a co-founder of the international Cultured Diamond Foundation and was elected to be the Chairman of this organisation.

 

In December 2011, an internationally renowned brand undertook a comprehensive survey to gauge the potential market for small size created diamonds. Roger was the primary provider of technical information. The survey revealed that if small size created diamonds were discounted to the mined equivalent; coupled with the overwhelming importance expressed by the participants regarding the positive environmental implications, as well as the absence of any conflict/blood issues, 84% of diamond jewelry buyers said they would prefer created diamonds over their mined counterparts.