IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
SourcingJul 06, 2016
De Beers to Begin Flooding Canadian Mine
Plans to flood Snap Lake mine, which ceased mining activity in 2015, have been approved.
Plans to flood Snap Lake mine, which ceased mining activity in 2015, have been approved.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories--The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has granted De Beers an interim approval on its Extended Care and Maintenance and Water Management plan for the Snap Lake mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
De Beers Canada disclosed on its website, “Approval requires the inclusion of commitments De Beers made during the Stakeholder review process.” De Beers has agreed to make the necessary updates to its plan to gain full approval.
A dyke of kimberlite runs underneath Snap Lake at an approximate 12-degree angle and is 2.5 meters in diameter. De Beers opened the Snap Lake mine in 2008--its first outside of Africa, and the only mine in Canada that is completely underground.
In 2014, nearly 1.2 million carats of diamonds were recovered from Snap Lake, according to De Beers Canada.
The Extended Care and Maintenance plan entails removal of the underground mine to flood the area.
Tom Ormsby, De Beers Canada’s head of external and corporate affairs, said, “We will commence the technical work required to eventually flood the underground workings of Snap Lake Mine later this year, which will be carried out in a controlled and responsible manner, minimizing the flow of water into the receiving environment and significantly reducing the operation’s total environmental impact.
He said the flooding of the underground workings also provides the company with the opportunity to hold the mine in a more sustainable environmental and economic fashion over a longer period of time, increasing the chance that it could be re-opened in future “should financial conditions, re-capitalization and implementation of operational efficiency improvements prove viable.”
Ormsby added, “This decision will enable the preservation of a significant diamond mineral resource in the ground, which is approximately 20-30 million carats.”
In December 2015, De Beers announced that it was ceasing Snap Lake mining operations while it evaluated market conditions.
Over 400 employees were terminated.
Kim Truter, Chief Executive of De Beers Canada, commented at the time, “The men and women at Snap Lake have put enormous effort into this challenging ore body over many years, but even the gains made this year are not enough to overcome the market conditions and put us in a profitable position. To see such a strong commitment to the mine makes [this] announcement that much more difficult.”
De Beers Canada maintains two other mining sites: the Victor Mine in northern Ontario and Gahcho Kué in the Northwest Territories, which is currently under construction.
“The
project is progressing very well and is into the commissioning phase,” Ormsby said, “which is testing all equipment and systems to ensure they are functioning correctly. We are still on target for first production later this year.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Weekly QuizFeb 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
