Canadian Diamonds
 

Is Canadian Better?

We think so.  That's why we are the "Canadian Diamond Leader".  However diamond is diamond, they come in all qualities regardless of origin.


Why Buy Canadian Diamonds?

Canadian diamonds are unquestionably not conflict - blood diamonds.

You support a relatively new, dynamic and flourishing diamond industry in Canada.

Each Canadian diamond is laser engraved with a tiny, traceable, tracking serial number.

Canadian diamonds, specially those from the Ekati™ mine are generally of superb quality, exceptionally white and rival the finest diamonds in the world.


Tracking Number

Each diamond is laser engraved on the girdle (the edge) with a tracking number.

This allows your diamond to be traced from the mine through all stages to the finished product and insures that the diamond is indeed of Canadian origin.

The unique laser engraved tracking number is permanent and in no way effects the beauty of the diamond.

This number also related to the laboratory grading so you definitely know the laboratory certificate you see is actually for the diamond in question.

Often symbols are engraved along with the serial number.  Examples are a Maple Leaf, a Polar Bear, a Star, an Eskimo and a Loon.  Same diamond, same mine, the symbol just depends on which company is marketing the gem.


The Canadian Diamond Story

For many years, the thought of finding diamonds in Canada was little more than a prospector’s dream.  That dream became a reality following the discovery, in the 1990s, of several world-class diamond-bearing deposits in Canada’s north.

In the fall of 1991, the first Canadian diamonds were brought to the surface.  They proved to be of a particularly high grade, characterized by beautiful, exceptionally white stones.
 
Diamond exploration began in Canada as early as the 1960s but major kimberlite discoveries were not made until the 1980s.  In 1991, the first economic diamond deposit was discovered in the Lac de Gras area of the Northwest Territories.

Following comprehensive feasibility studies and lengthy environmental assessments, BHP Billiton and Dia Met Minerals began construction of the first Canadian Diamond mine in 1997.

Canada became a diamond producer on October 14, 1998 when the Ekati™  diamond mine was officially opened, about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife.

By April 1999, the Ekati  mine had produced one million carats.  Canada’s diamond industry has now become an industry worth more than $2.0 billion with all indicators pointing to potential for future growth. 

Canadian diamond production in 2003 was about 11.6 million carats and in 2004 was 12.6 million carats.

click to see mine locations

Diavik,   Canada’s second diamond mine, began production in January 2003.  During its projected 20-year life, average diamond production from this mine is expected to peak at six to eight million carats a year which equates to about five percent of the world’s total supply.

Ekati's    average production over its projected 20-year life is expected to peak at three to five million carats a year which is about four percent of world production by volume.

Another three mines are scheduled to open by 2008: one at Snap Lake, about 220 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. 

Victor, near James Bay in Ontario; and Jericho in Nunavut.  These mines will consolidate Canada’s position in world diamond production by value, third after only Botswana and Russia.

Although there have been diamond polishing facilities in Canada for many years, the new mines triggered the construction of a number of factories in the Northwest Territories that now employ close to 100 people. 

One facility is majority-owned by the Yellowknife Dene First Nation.  The largest of these facilities has an output of 2500 carats a month.

There are also diamond cutting and polishing facilities in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Matane Quebec.

The Canadian diamond industry employs about 1200 people in mine operations and over 1000 more in support industries for exploration and mining.

In total, the Canadian industry provides some 4000 direct and indirect jobs.  Aboriginal persons comprise 30 to 40 percent of the work forces at the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines.