“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
De Beers to Begin Flooding Canadian Mine
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
The Latest

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America


Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.