From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
Dominion Reduces Ekati FY 2017 Production Estimates
The diamond miner has shut down the Ekati processing plant for three months for repairs after a small fire, causing them to lower the production outlook by 16 percent.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories--Due to Dominion Diamond Corp. shutting down the processing plant at its Ekati mine for repairs after a small fire last month, the company has revised its production outlook for fiscal 2017.
Dominion said that it now expects to produce 4.7 million carats of diamonds during the full year, down 16 per cent from the 5.6 millions of carats originally estimated.
Early on the morning of June 23, a fire broke out during a planned outage in the process plant at the Ekati mine.
According to Dominion, damages were limited to a small area with no damage to the main structural components. Surface and underground mining also weren’t affected by the fire. (The company still is investigating the cause of the fire.)
Repairs will require, however, the replacement of one of the main degritting screens and associated instruments, as well as some electrical wiring and related infrastructure. The repairs, and subsequent processing plant shut-down, are expected to take three months.
As a result, late last month, Dominion began executing a plan to reduce operating and capital costs, which includes adjusting mining operations to pause mining at lower priority and lower value ore bodies.
The company is continuing to mine higher value material during the process plant shutdown. Mined ore will be stockpiled, to be processed once operations resume.
The preliminary cost of repair is predicted at about $19 million at current exchange rates.
The company said all personnel were evacuated from the area and that no injuries were reported. There also have been temporary layoffs of affected staff across the company, impacting approximately 330 temporary and permanent contractors and employees.
Despite the loss of revenue and a lower production from the mine during the shutdown, the diamond miner said that it still was moving forward with development of its Jay project, what it calls “the most significant undeveloped kimberlite pipe deposit” at Ekati.
The project was approved by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board in February and by the board of directors last week.
Processing at the site is expected to start in 2022. Dominion estimates that the Jay pit will push the Ekati mine life to 2033, offering new development opportunities.
In other company news, Dominion announced that Chief Financial Officer Ron Cameron will leave the company effective July 15. Cara Allaway, currently the vice president group controller, will step in as acting CFO until Dominion can find a
The Latest

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine


From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.

The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.






















