Sourcing

Take a Peek at the Largest Diamond Found in North America

SourcingDec 19, 2018

Take a Peek at the Largest Diamond Found in North America

The 552.74-carat yellow was discovered at the Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

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The Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories has set the record for largest diamond recovered in North America with this 552-carat stone. It also yielded the previous record-holder, the 187-carat Foxfire diamond.
New York—Dominion Diamond Mines has announced the recovery of the largest gem-quality diamond on record in North America.

The whopping 552.74-carat yellow CanadaMark diamond was recovered at the Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories in October.

Diavik is approximately 135 miles south of the Arctic Circle and also yielded the previous record holding stone for largest discovered on the continent, the 187.7-carat Foxfire diamond, unearthed in 2015.

Polished, the Foxfire yielded a 37.87-carat and 36.80-carat brilliant-cut pear shape diamond that went for $1.3 million at auction.

The CanadaMark yellow measures 33.74 millimeters by 54.56 millimeters and was found by miners during Diavik’s recovery plant’s initial screening process.

Marked heavily with abrasions, Dominion said that it won’t sell the stone in its rough form but will partner with a master cutter to cut and polish it.

“This incredible discovery showcases what is truly spectacular about CanadaMark diamonds,” said Dominion Diamond Mines Chairman Kyle Washington.

“The color and texture of the diamond are a unique example of the journey that natural diamonds take from their formation until we unearth them. Our Diavik mine has produced some of the most beautiful diamonds in the world, and this one certainly tops the list.”

Dominion Diamond Mines owns a 40 percent share of Diavik; Rio Tinto owns the remainder. Production started at the mine in 2003 and is expected to operate through 2025.

Last summer, miners opened a fourth pipe at Diavik, the A21.

Dominion also is the owner of the CanadaMark diamond brand.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

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