The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
Ekati Deal Falls Apart, Leaving Workers To Wonder What’s Next
The future of the diamond mine is in question as owner Dominion Diamond scrambles to try to put together a new deal.

Calgary, Alberta—The proposed sale that could have saved Dominion and its Ekati Diamond Mine has fallen apart, leaving hundreds of employees to wonder if they’ll ever get back to work.
Dominion Diamond Mines ULC announced via press release Friday that its insurers, Aviva Insurance Company of Canada, Argonaut Insurance Company and Zurich Insurance Company Ltd., could not come to an agreement with the two companies angling to buy the mine, Canadian Diamond Holdings L.P. and CA Canadian Diamond Mines ULC.
Canadian Diamond Holdings and CA Canadian Diamond Mines are affiliates of Dominion’s current owner, The Washington Companies, and submitted the only bid only bid to buy the company, which filed for insolvency protection in April.
The impasse means the deal is effectively dead and Dominion will have to try to find another way to restart operations at the mine.
“Management is working with our financial and legal advisors to determine the best path forward given this sudden change,” a Dominion spokesperson told National Jeweler via email on Wednesday.
“Our top priority is to restart the mine and recall our furloughed workers—that is our primary focus at this time.”
Ekati has been on care and maintenance since March, a decision the company attributed to COVID-19. The company filed for insolvency protectionthe following month.
The Dominion spokesperson did not supply a number when asked how many workers have been laid off as a result of the mine shutdown, but the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) said Ekati employed 396 members of Local 3050 before it was mothballed. (This figure does not include non-union workers or contractors.)
Only about 40 union members are working there now, doing care and maintenance.
UNW issued a statement of its own Tuesday, claiming details of the failed sale were communicated via the press release distributed country-wide on Friday before management or the union had the chance to tell workers.
The union decried the uncertainty and lack of transparency it says have been a constant throughout the sale process and that have taken a “financial and emotional toll” on its members, who depend on the mine to support their families and communities.
UNW President Todd Parsons said there doesn’t seem to be any accountability on the part of the corporations to act in the best interests of its workers.
“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on many sectors and it’s very frustrating, as
Following news that the sale had fallen through, interim Dominion CEO Pat Merrin, who is chief operating officer of The Washington Companies, stepped down, Dominion confirmed.
Chief Financial Officer Kristal Kaye and Chief Operating Officer Mike Welch are heading the company, with support from independent Chairman Brendan Bell.
Dominion will remain in creditor protection until Nov. 7, barring an extension.
The Latest

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.


Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

The gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Gizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.