Canadian Diamonds
A SHINING LEGACY
Ethical Canadian Diamonds
WANT TO BE SURE IT'S A CONFLICT-FREE DIAMOND?
Think Canadian Diamonds first, especially if you're Canadian.
CANADA HAS DIAMONDS?
YES, Canada has diamonds. Beautiful, sparkling diamonds with a brilliant story that brings together luxury and sustainability.
DID YOU KNOW...
Canada is the third largest producer of jewelry-quality diamonds in the world and accounts for 14% of the world supply of diamonds.
That has to be one of Canada's best-kept secrets. Most Canadians don't even know we have diamonds—so I am on a mission to change that.
There are so many reasons to fall in love with Canadian diamonds. The diamonds currently mined in Canada are found in the pristine wilderness of the Northwest Territories. At 3.5 billion years old, they are the oldest in the world and are mined in accordance with Canadian commitment to innovation, collaboration and conservation. And the diamond mining industry is committed to keeping our Northern wilderness pristine.
WHY CHOOSE A CANADIAN DIAMOND?
Choosing a Canadian Diamond for a future proposal or to celebrate a life milestone means choosing a beautiful, ethically mined, conflict-free diamond. It also means upholding our Canadian values, preserving Canadian heritage, and supporting our economic strength.
Read on to discover a story of pride, sustainability and integrity.
BUT FIRST...
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR DIAMOND IS A CANADIAN DIAMOND?
LOOK FOR CANADIAN DIAMOND AUTHENTIFICATION.
The golden rule is to work with a trusted diamond expert (like me) who guarantees a Canadian diamond's origin through a tight tracking system that follows it through every step of its journey—from the moment it is extracted from deep within the Earth to when it is set in a breathtaking piece of jewellery, ready to shine for a lifetime.
Insist on a diamond lasered with a traceable Canadian diamond identification number and that comes with certificates of authenticity that include the Canadian mine from which your diamond was extracted.
The Canadian diamond industry has been providing certification for almost 20 years and is the first country to do so through the trailblazing initiative known as CanadaMark. There are, of course, Canadian diamonds that go straight into the supply chain, so if you want to be sure your diamond is a genuine conflict-free Canadian diamond, make sure you ask for all the right documentation.
Photo: Vantyghem Diamonds
IT'S LIKE A CANADIAN PASSPORT FOR DIAMONDS
If you are Canadian, you know how we feel about our passport. We travel with a Maple Leaf on our backpacks because we know what it represents. In the same way, when your Canadian diamond has been individually verified and comes with all the right authentification , it is like your Canadian diamond comes with its own unique Canadian passport.
Photo: Natural Diamond Council
CANADA IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN RESPONSIBLE MINING
Canadian diamonds are responsibly mined under Canada’s strict environmental and sustainability regulations – the strictest in the world – and in close consultation with Indigenous communities, stewards of the land. See below for a list of environmental, community and socioeconomic contributions the Canadian diamond industry has made in remote Northern Canada communities.
Diavik Diamond Mine, NWT. Photo: Natural Diamond Council
IMPACTS OF CANADIAN DIAMOND MINES ON ENVIRONMENT AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
AWARD-WINNING LAND RESTORATION IN CANADA'S NORTH
It is important that I address the issue often raised when it comes to minng in general: What about the environment and Indigenous communities? A diamond mine is a big pit. What happens when the mining company closes. What's left behind?
Of course there is impact. Everything humankind does on this Earth has an impact. But we can mitigate, minimize and restore. That is what sustainable mining means. Something that can give us peace of mind is that the diamond mining companies operating in the Canadian North are obliged to sign several binding agreements that prioritize environmental protection, wildlife conservation, and preservation of the ways of life of the people living on the land.
One agreement they sign is to restore the land as close as possible to what it was prior to mining operations, taking into account hunting and trapping of local and Ingigenous communities, caribou migration, fish populations, vegetation, water and air. And they honour that commitment. In fact, mining companies set aside hundreds of millions of dollars in escrow to restore the habitat to its original state after the mine has closed.
A shinng example is the Victor mine, which won the Tom Peters Memorial Mine Reclamation Award for its innovative post-closure strategy.
Photo: Natural Diamond Council
CANADIAN DIAMOND LEGACY
Facts and Contributions
- There are currently three diamond mines operating in Canada – all in the Northwest Territories (NWT): EKATI, DIAVIK, GAHCHO KUÉ.
- Canada’s diamonds are 3.5 billion years old, the oldest in the world.
- Canada is the 3rd largest producer of natural diamonds in the world.
- Canada produces 14% of the world's natural diamonds.
- NWT residents account for 47.5% of all employment in NWT diamond mines since 1996, 23% of whom are Indigenous.
- Canadian diamond mines have generated 74,210 person years of employment since 1996.
- Before a site opens in Canada, mining companies must sign robust oversight and collaborative agreements to protect biodiversity and contribute to the socio-economic advancement of local communities and Indigenous People.
- Mining companies set aside hundreds of millions of dollars in escrow to restore the habitat to its original state after a mine has closed.
- Diamond mining accounts for 52% of the Government of NWTs revenues through taxes in the last three years alone.
- 1.4M trees were planted as part of the Victor mine closure
- Diamond mining companies partner with Indigenous communities to monitor fish habitats and water quality.
- The Diavik mine has developed the largest off-grid solar facility in the Canadian North
Source: Diamond Reports, Diamonds of Canada, Natural Diamond Council
My Current Collection
Here are just a few of the Canadian Diamonds in my current inventory. Click on the link to see all the details and to see the complete selection.