First Diamond Recovered From Burgundy’s Ellendale Restart
Burgundy also announced the retail launch of its diamond brand, Maison Mazerea.

The Australian mining company said earlier this year it expects to start commercial production at the mine by the end of 2022.
On Sept. 8, the Australian mining company announced the recovery of its first diamond from Ellendale, a 1.51-carat fancy yellow octahedral (pictured below) found at the Blina alluvial project.
It reiterated its assertion that production will start in Q4.
A full-year production forecast is not yet available, though a spokesperson for the mine noted, “the recovery of the first diamond at Ellendale within the first weeks of operations is a very promising sign.”

Burgundy holds the rights to the Blina alluvial project as well as “key parts” of the Ellendale Mine.
Burgundy Managing Director Peter Ravenscroft, a former Rio Tinto executive, said in an interview earlier this year that it plans to begin mining at Blina and expand from there.
Commenting on the find in a news release, he said: “The first diamond recovered at Blina is an example of the potential quality of product from the Blina alluvials and the wider Ellendale project, and we look forward to building toward commercial production of these exquisite fancy yellow diamonds.”
Two weeks after finding that first diamond, Burgundy announced it had started selling diamonds under the brand name it created for Ellendale production, Maison Mazerea, at Australian independent Solid Gold Diamonds.
Solid Gold has two stores, one in Perth, Western Australia, and the other in Adelaide, South Australia.
Stage one of the partnership between the miner and the retailer has Solid Gold Diamonds selling engagement rings set with Maison Mazerea-branded diamonds.
Stage two, which is set to launch next month, will see Burgundy and Solid Gold collaborate on a fine jewelry collection.
The diamonds currently being sold under the Maison Mazerea name are stones Burgundy purchased from other companies, including the approximately 350 carats mined at Ellendale in 209 that it bought in September 2021, and the 150 carats of fancy yellows from Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. it purchased in January.
Burgundy’s long-term ambition is to build what Ravenscroft describes as an “end-to-end” diamond company—it will mine yellow diamonds at Ellendale, have them cut at its facility in Perth by cutters from Rio Tinto’s now-closed Argyle Diamond Mine, and set into jewelry sold under the Maison Mazerea name.
It said it is working on developing sales agreements with other jewelers and watchmakers worldwide and anticipates future supply will be a mix of diamonds mined at Ellendale and stones purchased from other companies.
The mine spokesperson said it plans to hold a launch event for Maison Mazerea in New York in the coming months, adding that, “the U.S. market is a key market for Burgundy and Maison Mazerea.”
Editor’s note: The headline of this story was corrected post-publication to clarify that the 1.51-carat diamond was the first diamond that Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd. recovered, not the first diamond recovered from the Ellendale restart overall.
The Latest

Watch as Edahn Golan, Sherry Smith and Avi Levy join Michelle Graff to talk pricing and trends in this controversial corner of the market.

A classic diamond tennis necklace gets a whole lot cooler with a removable pendant.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore recently spoke with Columbia Gem House’s Eric Braunwart about the uptick in non-traditional gemstone cuts.

Awareness is essential to proactive protection. Learn how to promote and maintain safety and security awareness in your business.

“Pre-Owned Luxury by Rocksbox” offers secondhand jewelry from Kay, Zales, and Jared to members and non-members.


The museum is asking for the public’s help in finding thousands of pieces of ancient gold jewelry and gemstones stolen from a storeroom.

The company was recognized for one of its private-label, consumer-focused jewelry care lines.

Do you always want the right diamonds at the right price in your store? Introducing Dialog, the world’s first diamond subscription service.

A rare Chaumet necklace and 20th-century sapphire ring sold for double their estimates.

Shoppers also expressed concern about rising prices, higher interest rates, and political uncertainty.

Participants from the first round of grants saw up to a 900 percent increase in their platinum sales.

According to the watchmaker, it features the first light-powered atomic timekeeping moon phase movement.

The former teacher, described as “a pioneer for women-owned businesses,” opened her own jewelry store in 1980.

The contest is now open for submissions until Oct. 10.

The annual event will return to Rosemont, Illinois next August.

According to SpendingPulse, retail sales will increase in November and December but not necessarily for jewelers.

Police say Douglas Wayne Gamble also swapped natural diamonds for synthetic stones and failed to return customers’ repairs.

The designer just launched a new bridal range at Kay Jewelers.

Yunjo Lee has also worked on collections for Tiffany & Co. with Paloma Picasso and Frank Gehry.

Steve Levine joins the family-owned company, while his brother Gary has a new position.

The company has filed complaints against Royal Chain and Samuel B.

The two-stone style benefits from two-toned metal.

The event is moving just outside of Denver.

The company just rolled out “Timex Rewound,” a new takeback and resale program.

The lab confirmed it did not send the message.

Reginald Brack has worked at StockX and Christie’s.

The second installment of “To Treasure Now and Forever” is intended to emphasize diamonds’ versatility.