PERSONNEL: JEWELERS VISIT SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMOND MIND

Loyd and Jayne Ervin of Jayson Jewelers Ltd. recently visited a diamond mine in South Africa.

The Ervins participated in the underground tour of the Bultfontein Diamond Mine in Kimberly, as guest of DeBeers Consolidated Diamond Mines, which mines and markets 80 percent of the world's diamonds.

Loyd Ervin said he was impressed with the organization of the mine.

"Every type of machine and vehicle needed to excavate and blast Kimberlite (diamond-bearing ore) has been assembled underground," he said.

The Ervins toured the Harry Oppenheimer House, which is the DeBeers headquarters in South Africa. They attended a luncheon put on by DeBeers at the historic Kimberly club.

The Ervins also went on a three-day safari, where they saw hundreds of wild animals.

Jayson Jewelers, 115 Themis in downtown Cape Girardeau, is a direct importer of diamonds from South Africa and Belgium.