CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
SourcingFeb 24, 2021
157-Carat Canadian Diamond Goes Up for Sale
Dubbed “Polaris,” the rough diamond is the Gahcho Kué mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories’ largest gem-quality diamond recovered to date.
Mountain Province Diamonds and De Beers Group recovered this nearly 160-carat diamond from the Gahcho Kué mine in Canada. It’s the largest gem-quality diamond the mine’s yielded to date. (Photo courtesy of Mountain Province Diamonds)
Toronto—The big gem-quality diamond recovered from Canada’s Gahcho Kué mine in December is up for sale.
The diamond is 157.38 carats and is described as a gem of “exceptional quality” that exhibits natural blue fluorescence.
This fluorescence appears in the stone at an “intriguing level,” said Reid Mackie, vice president of diamond marketing at Mountain Province Diamonds, which operates Gahcho Kué in partnership with De Beers Canada.
He called the phenomenon a “natural hallmark” of the diamond’s northern origins, and compared it to another natural phenomenon that occurs in the area where the mine is located, the aurora borealis, or northern lights.
Mackie also noted that blue fluorescence—a trait long shunned by the diamond industry—is now “a quality for which some of our leading customers have created unique marketing platforms.”
Mountain Province named the nearly 160-carat stone “Polaris,” after the North Star.
Mackie declined to provide a pre-sale estimate, noting the lack of comparisons available due to the diamond’s size. The stone is the largest rough diamond the mine has yielded in its approximately four-year history.
Mackie declined to provide a pre-sale estimate, noting the lack of comparisons available due to the diamond’s size. The stone is the largest rough diamond the mine has yielded in its approximately four-year history.
“We really haven’t yet seen an equivalent against which to compare it to, which makes the sale all the more exciting for us and our customer base,” he said.
RELATED CONTENT: Take a Peek at the Largest Diamond Found in North America
The Polaris is part of Mountain Province’s February sale being conducted now at Bonas Group’s offices in Antwerp.
In addition to Polaris, the sale includes more than 30 high-quality diamonds weighing 10.8 carats or more, the company said, as well as Mountain Province’s customary run-of-mine assortments.
Viewings started Monday and run through early March. The sale is scheduled to close on March 5 at 3 p.m. CET via online highest-bid tender.
Mountain Province Diamonds operates Gahcho Kué in 49/51 percent joint venture with De Beers Canada.
The mine started production in September 2016 and, the company said, has established itself as a source of larger, high-quality diamonds.
On Feb. 8, Mountain Province announced it was temporarily shutting down Gahcho Kué due to an outbreak of COVID-19. The company said Tuesday it is “hopeful” normal operations will resume in the near future. Parties interested in bidding on the Polaris, or any diamond in Mountain Province’s February sale, should call Bonas-Couzyn NV at +32 (0)3 233.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
