Program certifies origin of diamonds
Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Apr 18/01) - BHP Diamonds, the majority owner and operator of the Ekati diamond mine, has launched a new brand of diamond.
Under a new branding program, diamonds will be laser engraved with a maple leaf logo, the mine name and an individual identification number.
The origin of a diamond has become a significant issue in the industry, especially with the recent raised awareness about blood diamonds -- gems mined to raise money to fuel war.
According to BHP, this is the first time diamonds from one mine will have their own distinct branding. As well, each gem will be identified with Gemprint -- a diamond fingerprint. And each gem will be sold with certificates from American Gem Society Laboratories, the GNWT, and a third guaranteeing the diamond is from the Ekati mine.
"Canadian diamonds form the Ekati mine are among the finest in the world," said Kowie Strauss, president of BHP diamonds and minerals.
The program is just one way to give Northern diamonds even more marketing appeal.
"Canadians are very patriotic when it comes to buying jewelry. If they have a choice, they will choose a Canadian diamond," said Mo Charania, owner of Jubilee Fine Jewellers in Ottawa.
They're also high quality.
"In terms of size, Ekati-brand diamonds must be at least one-third carat or larger and of AGS Triple Ideal grade," said Chahe Arslanian, president of Arslanian Cutting Works (NWT), the firm that will cut and polish the diamonds at its Yellowknife plant. Fewer than one per cent of the millions of diamonds cut and polished internationally are graded this high.
"Because they are relatively rare in global markets and demand is high, very few jewellers in Canada had access to diamonds of this quality previously," Arslanian said.
The diamonds will be cut and polished with what is known as the "eight hearts" cut. This cut takes longer to make and results in a more valuable gemstone, according to BHP.
Ekati-brand diamonds are for sale in cities across Canada.
