Supplier BulletinMay 07, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
SourcingJul 25, 2019
De Beers Wins Grant for Carbon-Neutral Project
The Canadian government is giving the company $500,000 to see if it can reproduce its results on a larger scale.
Calgary, Canada—De Beers Group just got a little help from the Canadian government in its quest to come up with a way to make diamond mining carbon neutral.
The diamond miner and marketer announced Tuesday the award of a C$675,000 grant (about $514,000) from the Clean Growth Program of Natural Resources Canada for its carbon-capture research at the Gahcho Kué Mine in the Northwest Territories.
The project is part of a global three-year study that includes mines in Botswana and Venetia in South Africa to allow for comparisons between different climates and geology.
What De Beers and leading academics from four institutions—The University of British Columbia, Trent University, University of Alberta and INRS in Quebec—have been working on is called rapid carbon fixation. It involves injecting carbon dioxide into processed kimberlite rock in order to accelerate a natural process, mineral carbonation.
In mineral carbonation, processed mine rock (the material left after the diamond is extracted from the source rock) sequesters the carbon dioxide as a stable and benign carbonate mineral.
The process takes thousands or millions of years in nature, but about 10 years ago scientists became aware that certain rock types exposed at Earth’s surface could store carbon and started studying how they could make it happen more quickly, said De Beers Canada spokesman Tom Ormsby.
In the case of De Beers’ quest for carbon-neutral mining, Project Lead Greg Dipple, a professor at UCB’s Bradshaw Research Initiative for Minerals and Mining, said they’ve been able to demonstrate rapid carbon fixation within days to weeks in the lab.
They now want to test the technology on a larger scale at the Gahcho Kué Mine, which is what the grant will help researchers do.
De Beers started researching carbon-neutral mining in 2015, with a goal of achieving it within five to 10 years, Ormsby said.
Achieving carbon neutrality would be a big win for diamond miners, as one of the main criticisms lobbed at natural diamonds from the lab-grown sector is that diamond mining is harmful to the environment.
De Beers Group CEO Bruce Cleaver said the company’s progress with its research project shows there is “great potential” to achieve carbon-neutral mining at sites where kimberlite is present, and could “fundamentally change the carbon footprint of not only the diamond industry, but the mining sector more broadly.”
The company said it is “focused on maximizing the benefits that can
be generated for the wider mining community” with this project and is working with academics so any findings are retained by them and can therefore be implemented by other mining companies.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
Weekly QuizMay 01, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff ConcernsWhat’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2025
Instore Show Debuts New Name, Look, and FocusNow called The Instore Jewelry Show, it will include holiday-focused education, interactive workshops, and a window display contest.
SourcingApr 30, 2025
GemGuide Has a New Pricing Chart for Colombian EmeraldsIt includes pricing for unenhanced Colombian emeralds in the fine to extra fine range.
CollectionsApr 30, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Goes Deep-Sea Diving in New Blue BookThe “Sea of Wonder” collection features pieces inspired by the ocean, from its waves to flora and creatures like urchins and sea turtles.
AuctionsApr 29, 2025
‘Golconda Blue’ Diamond Pulled From AuctionThe 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
IndependentsApr 29, 2025
Maryland Jeweler to Close After 36 YearsG.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.
ColumnistsApr 29, 2025
Google Ads vs. Social Media Ads: Which Are More Effective?Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.
SourcingApr 29, 2025
Gemfields Mini Ruby Auction Achieves $7MThe miner said its April sale featured a mix of commercial-quality primary rubies and secondary rubies of varying quality.
