SourcingMar 22, 2022
De Beers Unveils New Marine Mining Vessel in NamibiaSourcingMar 31, 2022
Production at Mine Famous for Its Yellow Diamonds Slated To Restart
Burgundy Diamond Mines said it will begin commercial production at Ellendale before the end of 2022.
PHOTO Rough from the Ellendale mine that Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd. purchased from a former Ellendale customer in 2021. Burgundy is in process of buying mining claims in and around Ellendale from Gibb River Diamonds. (Photo courtesy of Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd.)
PHOTO Polished diamonds Burgundy produced at its facility in Perth. (Photo courtesy of Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd.)
Perth, Australia—One of the companies trying to revive Ellendale, the Australian mine that once produced half the world’s yellow diamonds, expects to start commercial production later this year.
Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd. said last week a state-of-the-art bulk sample plant has been shipped to Perth, Western Australia, from South Africa and will be transported to Ellendale for installation and commissioning by the end of the second quarter.
The company will conduct bulk sampling—the process of taking a massive sample in order to evaluate the makeup and potential worth of a mineral deposit—until Q4, with commercial production expected to kick off before the end of 2022.
Burgundy has not yet established final production forecasts, CEO Peter Ravenscroft, a former Rio Tinto executive, told National Jeweler via email, but will start production at the Blina alluvial deposit and plans to expand from there.
He said the company will cut and polish all yellow diamonds from Ellendale at its facility in Perth. The facility is built around “master craftsmen” who used to cut stones from another mine famous for its colored diamonds: Rio Tinto-owned Argyle.
Also like Argyle, Burgundy plans to create an “ultra-luxury” brand to market its yellows from Ellendale, much the same way Rio Tinto created—and kept—the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand.
The Ellendale brand is set to be unveiled in Paris in July alongside a collection of yellow diamond jewelry created by Burgundy’s first partner, Paris-based Bäumer Vendôme.
Related stories will be right here …
Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd. said last week a state-of-the-art bulk sample plant has been shipped to Perth, Western Australia, from South Africa and will be transported to Ellendale for installation and commissioning by the end of the second quarter.
The company will conduct bulk sampling—the process of taking a massive sample in order to evaluate the makeup and potential worth of a mineral deposit—until Q4, with commercial production expected to kick off before the end of 2022.
Burgundy has not yet established final production forecasts, CEO Peter Ravenscroft, a former Rio Tinto executive, told National Jeweler via email, but will start production at the Blina alluvial deposit and plans to expand from there.
He said the company will cut and polish all yellow diamonds from Ellendale at its facility in Perth. The facility is built around “master craftsmen” who used to cut stones from another mine famous for its colored diamonds: Rio Tinto-owned Argyle.
Also like Argyle, Burgundy plans to create an “ultra-luxury” brand to market its yellows from Ellendale, much the same way Rio Tinto created—and kept—the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand.
The Ellendale brand is set to be unveiled in Paris in July alongside a collection of yellow diamond jewelry created by Burgundy’s first partner, Paris-based Bäumer Vendôme.
Ellendale is located in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia, about 400-500 km (250 to 310 miles) west of Argyle, which closed in November 2020 after 37 years of production.
Formerly owned by Kimberley Diamonds Ltd. and perhaps best known as the mine that supplied Tiffany & Co. with its yellows, Ellendale has been shuttered since 2015.
In late 2019, the Australian government awarded mining claims for the site to two companies, Gibb River Diamonds and another Australian company, India Bore Diamond Holdings.
Burgundy is buying the mining claims that used to belong to Gibb River Diamonds under terms of a $5 million deal reached in March 2021.
Ravenscroft said Burgundy holds the rights for the Blina alluvial deposit and “key parts” of the previous Ellendale Mine leases, including the mine pits (E9 and E4) and stockpiles, as well as the alluvial deposits to the north of E9.
In March 2021, Burgundy made an initial payment of AU$1.7 million ($1.3 million) and issued 4 million Burgundy shares to Gibb River Diamonds.
The company said last week it has made the second payment, AU$1 million ($751,000) and 5 million shares, with a final payment of AU$4 million ($3 million) and 7 million Burgundy shares due March 23, 2023.
If and when Ellendale restarts, it will be Australia’s only operational diamond mine.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
