PodcastsMay 20, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
SourcingOct 23, 2013
New projects improve diamond supply outlook
Amid industry concerns about the dwindling supply of diamonds, a number of announcements surfaced this week regarding new projects that will open up additional sources for mining the stones.
New York--Amid industry concerns about the dwindling supply of diamonds, a number of announcements surfaced this week regarding new projects that will open up additional sources for mining the stones.
On Tuesday, De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds announced that the Canadian federal government had approved development of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine in the Northwest Territories.
The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Bernard Valcourt, put his stamp on the project, which will pave the way for the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board to begin processing applications for water and land-use permits.
“The minister’s approval confirms that the plans for the development and operation of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine will benefit the economy and residents of the Northwest Territories and enhance Canada’s position as a premier diamond producer,” De Beers Canada CEO Tony Guthrie said in a statement.
Located 280 kilometers (174 miles) northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, the mine is a joint venture project of De Beers (51 percent) and Mountain Province (49 percent). Gahcho Kué will employ nearly 700 people during its two-year construction process and approximately 400 while operating. It’s predicted to produce an average of 4.5 million carats per year over its 11-year life.
De Beers also has started construction of a new underground mine below its open-pit Venetia Mine in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The company has invested $2 billion in the project, which will extend the life of Venetia beyond 2040.
Underground production is slated to begin in 2021. De Beers expects the mine to produce an estimated 96 million carats over its lifetime. It will create 8,000 jobs directly, as well as 5,000 more through the supply chain.
“There can be no greater vote of confidence by our shareholders in South Africa and De Beers than the decision to build an underground mine of the future here at Venetia, one of a handful of world-class diamond mines around the world,” said Philippe Mellier, CEO of the De Beers Group.
“With production set to continue into the 2040s, Venetia will support South Africa’s mining economy for generations to come and make diamond moments possible for millions of people around the world.”
Meanwhile, Canada’s Dominion Diamond Corp. announced Wednesday that it has filed an application with the Wek'éezhìi Land and Water Board for a new land use permit and water license to expand its Ekati Diamond
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Mine to include the Jay and Cardinal kimberlite pipes (the Jay-Cardinal project).
The application is the first step in the regulatory approval process for the project. Environmental assessment approval is anticipated before the end of 2015, after which construction would begin, allowing for the anticipated release of diamond-bearing kimberlite to the process plant by 2019.
The Jay and Cardinal kimberlite pipes are located in Lac du Sauvage in the southeastern portion of the Ekati mine property. Drilling at the Jay site to date has produced 78 million carats of indicated resource and 13 million carats of inferred resource.
Dominion has identified the Jay-Cardinal project as “the cornerstone of (the company’s) strategy for building a long-term, sustainable Canadian diamonds business.”
The project has the potential to extend the operating life of the Ekati Diamond Mine for another 10 to 20 years past the current scheduled closing date in 2019.
Dominion Diamond Corp., formerly Harry Winston Diamond Corp., purchased the Ekati Diamond Mine from BHP Billiton in April, following the sale of the retail arm of Harry Winston to Swatch Group a month earlier.
The application is the first step in the regulatory approval process for the project. Environmental assessment approval is anticipated before the end of 2015, after which construction would begin, allowing for the anticipated release of diamond-bearing kimberlite to the process plant by 2019.
The Jay and Cardinal kimberlite pipes are located in Lac du Sauvage in the southeastern portion of the Ekati mine property. Drilling at the Jay site to date has produced 78 million carats of indicated resource and 13 million carats of inferred resource.
Dominion has identified the Jay-Cardinal project as “the cornerstone of (the company’s) strategy for building a long-term, sustainable Canadian diamonds business.”
The project has the potential to extend the operating life of the Ekati Diamond Mine for another 10 to 20 years past the current scheduled closing date in 2019.
Dominion Diamond Corp., formerly Harry Winston Diamond Corp., purchased the Ekati Diamond Mine from BHP Billiton in April, following the sale of the retail arm of Harry Winston to Swatch Group a month earlier.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
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.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
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.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Medal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
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.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn 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.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
