In a sector often defined by exclusivity and heritage, Isabella Jewellers and Refiners is carving out a new legacy—one of resilience, innovation, and inclusion.
By Ashley Lechman – Press Reader
Founded in 2008 by trailblazing goldsmith and diamond evaluator Isabella Kobela, the Johannesburg-based business began with just R2,000 and a dream. Today, it stands as a fully-fledged enterprise, supplying custom pieces, refining materials for wholesalers, and training a new generation of artisans. But what truly sets it apart is the powerful partnership at its core: Isabella and her daughter, Meiki Ngcengeni.
At just 35, Meiki brings strategic and operational expertise to the business as CEO, having joined her mother in 2012 after earning a degree in Transport and Supply Chain Management. Together, they’ve built a dynamic leadership model—blending deep industry experience with bold, forward-thinking vision.
With support from the De Beers Enterprise Development Programme, the duo has gained critical skills in diamond buying, cutting, and polishing, while also unlocking new markets and building connections with larger retailers. Their business now employs six staff—half of whom are women—and is running a competitive learnership programme training students in everything from handmade techniques to CAD-based design.
Their location in the O.R. Tambo Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct is proving to be a strategic advantage, but challenges persist: skills shortages, limited market access, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Yet their response has been to double down on mentorship, sustainability, and automation.
“We’re building more than a business—we’re shaping a future for South African jewellery making that is ethical, inclusive, and driven by women,” says Meiki. The story of Isabella and Meiki is not just one of entrepreneurial success; it’s a testament to how intergenerational leadership and purpose-driven enterprise can reshape entire industries.
