Sourcing

Canadian Diamond Mines Yield 2 Sizable Yellows

SourcingOct 04, 2022

Canadian Diamond Mines Yield 2 Sizable Yellows

Arctic Canadian unearthed a 71-carat yellow diamond, while Mountain Province reported discovering a nearly 152-carat stone at Gahcho Kué.

20221004_Arctic Canadian yellow.jpg
The “Misery Pipe” at Arctic Canadian Diamond Company’s Ekati Mine was the source of this 71.26-carat diamond, which the mining company described as “unique for its vivid yellow color, size, perfect octahedral form and exceptional clarity.” (Photo courtesy of Arctic Canadian Diamond Company)
New York—Two mining companies recently recovered big yellow rough diamonds in Canada, including one stone that could be the country’s largest known fancy vivid yellow.
 
Arctic Canadian Diamond Company announced last month that on Aug. 25, it recovered a 71.26-carat octahedron from the “Misery Pipe” at the Ekati Mine in the Northwest Territories, a pipe known for producing yellow diamonds. 
 
Industry experts have confirmed it is likely the largest fancy vivid yellow gemstone ever discovered in Canada, the company said.
 
The largest diamond ever found in Canada—or in all of North America, for that matter—was a yellow stone weighing nearly 553 carats. 

It was unearthed in October 2018 at the Diavik Diamond Mine, which is less than 20 miles from Ekati, but is not a fancy vivid yellow, Arctic Canadian noted. 
 
(Ekati also yielded the 187.8-carat “Foxfire” diamond, which was cut and polished into two stones weighing 37.87 and 36.8 carats, neither of which are fancy vivid yellow either.)  
 
Commenting on the discovery of the 71-carat yellow, Arctic Canadian President and CEO Rory Moore said, “This historic fancy vivid yellow gemstone continues to showcase Canada as a major player on the world stage for diamond mining … This stone is a testament to Ekati’s ability to deliver value now and into the future.”
 
The company said it will put the stone up for sale eventually, though it is still determining exactly when and how. 

20221004_Mountain Province yellow.jpg
Mountain Province Diamonds announced the recovery of this 151.6-carat rough yellow diamond from the Gahcho Kué mine on Aug. 31. It operates Gahcho Kué in partnership with De Beers Canada. (Photo courtesy of Mountain Province Diamonds Inc.)

The other big, recent yellow diamond find came from the Gahcho Kué Mine, owned and operated by Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. and De Beers Canada.
 
Mountain Province said on Aug. 31 that it had recovered a 151.60-carat octahedron of “exceptional” clarity and color, though the mining company did not specify the stone’s exact color grade. 
 
“This important diamond represents a clear example of the Gahcho Kué Mine’s ability to consistently recover high-quality gems of exceptionally large size,” said Reid Mackie, Mountain Province’s vice president of diamond marketing.
 
“These gems are highly coveted by collectors around the globe not only for their beauty but increasingly, for their Canadian origin.”
 
The 152-carat yellow diamond was set to go up for sale at Bonas Group’s office in Antwerp in September alongside more than 90 other rough diamonds from Gahcho Kué weighing 10.8 carats or more. 
 
Information on the results of the sale was not available as of press time.
 
 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

Smart Age Solutions CEO and National Jeweler columnist Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital Playbook

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Couture The Iridescence designers Aziza-Abdullah Nicole, Cindy Liebe, Danyell Roscoe, Jessica Liu, Marie Helena from Rebel Jewelry, Julia de Souza, and Xiao Wang
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry Designers

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

PG-05-SHOT-2-LUCIDA.033 1.png
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in Vegas

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

National Jeweler columnist Sherry Smith, partner at The Retail Smiths
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show Buying

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
JCK Talks panel on stage
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas Schedule

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

CBG Curated Designer Project Logo
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas Show

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

1872x1052-NextGem-2026-National-Jeweler-Advertorial.jpg
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry Retailers

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Walters Faith
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is Coming

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

Shot of attendees at a JA New York jewelry trade show
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York Show

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

Buccellati Waikiki gold and diamond earrings
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

Leigh Maxwell Bauble Earrings
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ Collection

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

Stuller 2026-2027 packaging and display catalog
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

My Next Question, Episode 5: Amanda Gizzi, Michelle Graff, Frank Everett
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in Perspective

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Springer’s Jewelers new flagship rendering
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury Shoppers

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

Nina Pugliese
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

Jewelry scam flyer and police officer handing flyer to elderly man
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting Seniors

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

New Adornment & Theory jewelry store in West Town, Chicago
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

Couture Show Logo
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Morgan P. Richardson
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEO

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.

Audemars Piguet x Swatch white Royal Pop watch
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused Pandemonium

The $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.

Chris Ploof Modern Electrum Collection Milgrain Rows and Diamonds Ring
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal Modern

With gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.

Ellen and Michael Fruchtman
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency

Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.

Peter Smith and National Jeweler contributor
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales Truths

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.

Edahn Golan, Tenoris co-founder and National Jeweler contributor
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine Jewelry

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.

Foundrae Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into Joy

The “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.

Inchiquin emerald
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ Emerald

The jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy