mauritius: the tiffany foundation

After the train from Antwerp to Paris, we hopped on an overnight flight to Mauritius. Ten hours later, we were in paradise. Upon our arrival at the Shangri-La Resort, I was so delightfully treated to an amazing massage. It was much needed after a combined 22 hours of plane time in 2 days but I was in no way complaining. The island of Mauritius is so stunningly beautiful, you feel like you just stepped onto your computer’s screen saver; the water is turquoise blue and the sand, pearly white. A day to take it all in is exactly what I needed.

The next morning we visited Laurelton Diamonds, Mauritius; Tiffany & Co.’s polishing facility, where the diamonds from Antwerp enter the next chapter of their journey. Here I got to polish a diamond!!! I was full of nerves during the process as I took a rough diamond and gently applied it to a spinning metal wheel sprinkled with diamond dust. Yup, diamond dust because only diamond can cut diamond.

It was here where I also learned more about the extensive Tiffany diamond journey from their SVP of Diamond & Jewelry Supply, Andy W. Hart. He’s one of the nicest men I’ve ever met with an infectious passion for the company he’s proudly worked for over the past 17 years. Another lovely member of the Tiffany team (they are all so nice!) is Anisa Kamadoli Costa, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Tiffany & Co. and President of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation. The foundation was established to focus the company’s philanthropic efforts in the areas of mining, marine conservation and urban parks. She spoke on Tiffany’s commitment to protecting the world’s most treasured landscapes and seascapes including grants to protect the beautiful waters and coral reefs of Mauritius. The importance of this was truly evident on our last day.

It was Friday and the trip was coming to an end but not without an epic ending. We spent the day sailing on a catamaran and swimming and snorkeling in the gorgeous (and very warm) Indian Ocean. It really doesn’t get any better than this. The water was so perfect, it didn’t seem real, a true example of nature’s beauty. And with this beautiful excursion, our trip was over.

Blogging has brought me many amazing experiences that I’m truly grateful for but this trip definitely takes the cake. Two beautiful countries and a new found respect and appreciation for diamonds (Damien is in trouble…ha!).

Thank you to Tiffany & Co. for partnering on this post and for sending me on a trip of a lifetime!
See all of Tiffany & Co.’s sustainability efforts here. #tiffanycsr
Photography by Eric Zeziola