Isabella Kobela and Meiki Ngcengeni design and manufacture jewellery, refine precious metals, recycle waste, and sustainably train young artisans.
In 2008, with just R2,000 and a set of goldsmith tools, Isabella Kobela started a small jewellery manufacturing venture that would eventually become one of South Africa’s most respected women-led enterprises. Trained as a goldsmith and rough diamond evaluator, Isabella Kobela (the mother) entered an industry known for its exclusivity and male dominance.
That bold decision marked the beginning of Isabella Jewellers & Refiners (IJR) – a business built on the resourcefulness and resilience of a South African woman.
Over time, Kobela’s determination turned what was once a modest operation into a multifaceted enterprise offering custom jewellery design, precious metal refining, and recycling services. Her early innovations laid the foundation for a company that would not only survive in a competitive sector but help transform it.
By 2012, her daughter, Meiki Ngcengeni, joined the family business after completing a degree in Transport and Supply Chain Management. She brought structure, strategy, and a clear vision for growth. As CEO, Ngcengeni focused on professionalising operations, strengthening supply chains, and integrating sustainable production practices that aligned with global industry standards.
Under Ngcengeni’s leadership, IJR evolved from a small workshop into a 100% Black women-owned, Level 1 BEE enterprise headquartered in the O.R. Tambo Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct – South Africa’s hub for fine jewellery innovation. The company now provides refining services for gold, silver, and platinum, transforming various source materials, including electronic waste, dental scrap, filings, dust, and old jewellery into certified pure metals.
Its in-house facility features advanced technologies such as XRF scanners and CAD design systems, with smelting and assaying capabilities for materials like carbon fines and industrial scrap.
Beyond refining, IJR manufactures semi-finished products like gold and platinum alloys, solder plates, and dental mouldings that meet industry specifications, while also offering custom pieces – from men’s bands and wedding rings to pendants and earrings.
What sets Isabella Jewellers & Refiners apart is its commitment to sustainability and ethics. The company operates an ISO-certified, eco-conscious refining plant with cleaner technologies, closed-loop water systems, and responsible sourcing policies that minimise environmental harm.
Their impact extends far beyond business growth. IJR is known for creating jobs and empowering artisans, with half of its six-member staff being women. The company also runs a learnership programme that trains young people, especially women, in jewellery making over six to twelve months. Students learn a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques like CAD design, casting, and setting, gaining hands-on experience that helps them enter and sustain careers in the jewellery sector.
Through participation in initiatives such as the De Beers Enterprise Development Programme, the duo gained vital mentorship, financial literacy, and market access, which helped them strengthen their operations and expand their reach. Their success has made IJR a model for transformation, inclusion, and sustainability in South Africa’s jewellery manufacturing and precious metals refining industry.
