Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
SourcingOct 09, 2018
177-Carat Diamond Among the ‘Stars of the Arctic’
It is one of three sizable rough diamonds from the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada headlining Rio Tinto’s current tender of rough 10.8 carats or larger.
The three diamonds dubbed the “Diavik Stars of the Arctic” are, from left to right, the 177.71-carat “Vega,” the 24.82-carat “Capella” and the 59.10-carat “Altair.” Rio Tinto is offering the diamonds via tender, with bids closing later this month.
London—The Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada has yielded three sizable rough diamonds—including one very rare yellow—and Rio Tinto will try to sell them this month.
Ranging in size from 24 to nearly 178 carats, the stones are headlining Rio Tinto’s current “Specials” tender, a sale of rough diamonds that are 10.8 carats or larger.
Known collectively as the “Stars of the Arctic,” the biggest of the three is “Vega of the Arctic,” a 177.71-carat rough diamond that Rio Tinto said is one of the largest and most valuable gem-quality diamonds to ever come out of Canada. (The biggest diamond ever mined in Canada weighed 187.7 carats and also came from Diavik.)
RELATED CONTENT: The Biggest Diamond in WashingtonThe “Capella” is a 24.82-carat yellow diamond. Rio Tinto said the discovery of a yellow diamond of this size is “very rare;” the mine only produces about five per year on average, making it less than 0.001 percent of Diavik’s annual production.
The last diamond, the “Altair of the Arctic,” is a 59.10-carat white gem-quality rough.
The 59.10-carat rough “Altair” diamond is 59 carats.
The yellow “Capella” rough diamond is nearly 25 carats.
A shot of the 177.71-carat “Vega of the Arctic,” the largest of the trio of rough diamonds dubbed the “Diavik Stars of the Arctic”
Rio Tinto is currently showcasing the stones to large diamond specialists in Israel and Antwerp. Bids will close on Oct. 25.
The Diavik Diamond Mine is a joint venture between Rio Tinto (60 percent ownership) and Dominion Diamond Mines (40 percent ownership). Production at the mine started in 2003, went underground in 2012 and is expected to extend through 2025.
This summer, mine operators opened a fourth pipe at Diavik, the A21. The $350 million addition is anticipated to be a key source of incremental supply for the next four years.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by National Jeweler (@nationaljeweler) on Oct 4, 2018 at 1:31pm PDT
Also this month for Rio Tinto, bids are closing on the2018 tender of red, violet and pink diamonds mined at Argyle in Western Australia, which the company brought to New York last week and includes the 2.28-carat fancy purplish-red “Argyle Muse,” pictured above.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
