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Canadian Diamonds
The discovery of
Canadian diamonds coincided with the corruption of the diamond industry
in Africa which was tainted by the illegal trading of diamonds to
finance conflict, civil wars and human rights abuses in Africa in the
1990's. The profits from this illegal trade in 'Blood
diamonds' or 'Conflict Diamond' was used by warlords and rebels in
Africa to buy arms.
Canadian Diamonds
and Jewelry
Buying Canadian
diamonds, with their certificates of authenticity, ensure that buyers of
jewelry containing a Canadian diamond have not contributed to human
rights abuses. Canadian diamonds are monitored from the mine throughout
the manufacturing process. Canada is the only country in the world that
operates strict monitoring of diamond production.
Authenticity of Canadian Diamonds
The authenticity of Canadian diamonds is an important factor. A Canadian
diamond is accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity. The
certificate includes the official polar bear insignia from the
Government of the North West Territories which guarantees its Canadian
origin.
Gemprint Image of Canadian Diamonds
The Canadian Certification Program also includes a Gemprint image of
every diamond. Every diamond has its own specific characteristics. Each
diamond is different and has its own 'fingerprint'. A Gemprint image is
a diamond identification system which uses computer technology to scan
an image of every diamond. Each certificate has its own serial number
which corresponds with the serial number which has been microscopically
etched with a laser on to the diamond.
Timeline & History
of Canadian Diamonds & Diamond Mines
Following considerable
exploration work since the 1960's diamonds were eventually discovered in
the Lac De Gras area in the Northwest Territories of Canada during
September 1991. The discovery of other diamonds quickly followed in
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. The first of
the Canadian diamond mines opened in 1998. But the history of the search
for Canadian Diamonds dates back for many hundreds of years! The
following history timeline of Canadian Diamonds provides and insight
into man's search for diamonds in Canada:
Timeline & History
of Canadian Diamonds
Canadian Diamond Mines
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1541: The famous French explorer Jacques Cartier hoped to find
great wealth in Canada and mined at the mouth of Rivière du
Cap-Rouge near Quebec. But the 'diamonds' were in fact just
quartz crystals giving rise to the name Cap Diamant ( Cape
Diamond )
-
1872: A diamond of oval shape, about three inches long and two
inches wide was found near River Philip, Nova Scotia
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1899: W.H. Hobbs raised the possibility of diamond sources in
Canada speculating that they had been carried by glaciers
in North America
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1906: Unconfirmed reports of the discovery of a stone “believed
to be one of thelargest diamonds in the world” at Nipissing
District, Ontario
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1910: Microscopic diamonds reportedly obtained from chromite at
Tulameen River in British Columbia but were shown to be
synthetic periclase which is formed by laboratory heating of the
rock samples
-
1911: Microscopic diamonds reportedly obtained from chromite at
Scotty Creek in British Columbia but were also shown to be
synthetic periclase
-
1911: Microscopic diamonds reported at Black Lake in Quebec but
were also shown to be synthetic periclase
-
1914: Microscopic diamonds reported at Reaume Township in
Ontario but again synthetic periclase
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c1920: Unsubstantiated report of a 33 carat diamond found at
Peterborough in Ontario
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1948: Unsubstantiated report of the discovery of five diamonds
at Saskatchewan
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1958: Unsubstantiated report of the discovery of a 1 carat stone
at Edmonton, Alberta
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1961/62: Unsubstantiated report of the discovery of 2 diamonds
at Saskatchewan
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1960 / 70 / 80's: Various companies search for diamonds in
Canada
-
1991: BHP and Dia Met discover the first diamonds in the Lac De
Gras area in the Northwest Territories increasing explorations
in Canada for diamonds
-
1998: The EKATI diamond mine opened in October, north of
Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories of Canada
-
1998: Canada became a diamond producer
-
1999: By April 1999 the EKATI diamond mine had produced one
million carats of diamonds. Diamonds from the Ekati Mine are
sold under the trade name Aurias and their authenticity is
verified through the "CanadaMark" service
-
2003: The second diamond mine in Canada, Diavik, began
production in January
-
2005: Diamond mines at Snap Lake northeast of Yellowknife and
Victor, near James Bay in Ontario
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2006: Canadian diamond mine Jericho in Nunavut
Timeline & History
of
Canadian Diamond Mines
Canadian Diamond Mines
Production at Canadian
Diamond Mines have made Canada the world's third largest producer of
diamonds. A carat is a unit of measure and not size. One carat is
equivalent to 200 milligrams. Projections of diamond productions are as
follows:
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The
EKATI diamond mine projects an average of between 4 - 5 million
carats per year during the life of the diamond mine also see
Ekati Diamond Mine
-
The
Diavik diamond mine projects an average of between 7 - 8 million
carats per year during the life of the diamond mine see
Diavik Diamond Mine
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The
Snap Lake diamond mine projects an average of between 1.5 - 2
million carats per year during the life of the diamond mine
-
The
Jericho diamond mine projects an average of between half a
million carats per year during the life of the diamond mine
Diamond Mines
Canadian Diamonds
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