It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
A 187-Carat Canadian Diamond Goes to Washington
The Diavik Foxfire was mined in Canada and will be on display at the Smithsonian through February.

Washington, D.C.--The largest diamond ever found in North America is making its way to Washington, D.C.
The 187.7-carat Foxfire diamond, mined in Canada, will be on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History beginning Nov. 17 through Feb. 16, 2017.
The museum said it will put the rough stone on display in the Harry Winston Gallery alongside another well-known gemstone, the 45.52-carat deep blue Hope Diamond.
In a news release, Jeffrey Post, curator of the museum’s National Gem and Mineral Collection, called the Foxfire “one of the great treasures of the Earth,” and noted that its display will give visitors the chance to see the big diamond in its rough state.
Rio Tinto unearthed the Foxfire in August 2015 at its Diavik Diamond Mine, which is located about 130 miles from the Arctic Circle in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The stone took its name from the aboriginal description of the Northern Lights as resembling a “brush of undulating fox tails.”
This is not the diamond’s first trip into the United States. Back in May, Rio Tinto brought it across the border, holding a private viewing of the stone in New York City.
In June, Deepak Sheth of Amadena Investments/Excellent Facets Inc. placed the winning bid in an international auction for the stone. The purchase price for the Foxfire was not disclosed.
Amadena is a diamond trading, cutting and polishing firm based in New York that is also a Rio Tinto Select Diamantaire.
Sheth has opted to keep it in its rough state thus far.
He said, “Having North America’s largest known uncut, gem-quality diamond on display at the Smithsonian is a testament to the rarity of the Foxfire diamond.
It also represents another significant chapter in the diamond’s remarkable story.”
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closing only on Dec. 25. Admission is free.
The Latest

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.


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

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

GemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.

The 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.

Aging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.

The WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.

A longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.

The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.