mining

The Zoe Report (TZR), one of BDG’s brands which collectively reach over 100 million readers per month, recently cited input from IGI on sustainability in the diamond and jewelry industry.

Gold and gemstone prospectors work the streets of New York’s illustrious diamond district, but you might not recognize them at first. Kneeling, gloved, scraping and brushing, they could be mistaken for pedantic street cleaners but don’t be fooled. Historically some Big Apple prospectors have claimed over $300 per day in “paydirt.”

Anglo American’s newest diamond recovery vehicle, the Benguela Gem, was recently inaugurated at the Port of Walvis Bay, Namibia. In addition to increasing Debmarine Namibia’s annual production by 45% the vessel is expected to create 160 new jobs for the local workforce.

Mountain Province Diamonds, joint-owner of Canada’s Gahcho Kué diamond mine, has announced a supply agreement with Chow Tai Fook, one of the world’s top jewelers. Under the terms of the agreement, Chow Tai Fook will purchase a selected range of rough diamonds from Mountain Province over a renewable one year period.

In their annual Global Diamond Industry report, Bain and the AWDC reported significant growth in for diamond miners, producers and jewelry retailers in 2021, above and beyond pre-pandemic levels. That trend has continued into 2022, for mining giants, particularly.

Sotheby’s is taking an exceptional 15.10 carat fancy vivid blue diamond on a world tour, with a pre-sale estimate of $48 million.

The legendary Mir Diamond Mine, built at the order of Joseph Stalin, had a surface operation which lasted 44 years. The recent discovery of an estimated 38 million carats of diamond reserves at Mir have now led to optimism from Mining giant Alrosa about its restoration and further development.

Rio Tinto Minerals has named Angela Bigg the President and Chief Operating Officer operator of their Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Angela will be the first female to oversee the mine and its 1,100 employees.

When new sources of green gemstones are found it’s worthy of celebration, especially when it’s the largest known deposit of peridot in history.

On September 23 Crater of Diamonds State Park gifted a visitor with a 4.38 carat fancy yellow crystal. This is one of more than 75,000 diamonds found by lucky visitors since the first were discovered there in 1906.

With an increasing number of Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) members electing to carry both natural and lab grown gemstone products, the RJC has decided to develop a ‘Laboratory Grown Materials Standard.’

Martin Rapaport’s “State Of The Diamond Industry” Sunday breakfast is one of JCK’s best attended events. That trend continued in 2021 with a full ballroom at the Venetian Resort and hundreds watching via live stream.

National Geographic will expand their efforts in protecting the Okavango river basin in the south of Africa through a five year partnership with a diamond industry giant.

IGI North American President Avi Levy was recently appointed to the Mercury Free Mining Board of Directors, an organization focused on eradicating the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Australia’s retired Argyle mine, most famous for fancy pink diamonds, is also renowned for diamond deposits ensconced in lamproite, rather than kimberlite. Did you know Argyle was not the only lamproite mine, nor the first place diamonds were discovered in Oz?

In November, 2020, we said “Goodbye, dear friend,” when Australia’s legendary Argyle Diamond Mine was retired. As 2021 concludes, the final diamond collection from the final year of Argyle operations will be sold, closing out nearly four decades of ongoing excitement.

Almost 150 carats of colorful rough diamonds splashed the news in July. As we close out the month, let’s visit these blue, pink and violet creations of nature and their origins.

IGI is offering interactive online lessons on a variety of topics, from introductory 4Cs training on diamonds and gemstones to comprehensive education about lab grown diamonds to timely lessons covering the significant and vital benefits the natural diamond industry brings to millions of indigenous people in the upstream value chain.

It’s doesn’t quite sizzle, does it? “Fire Spinel” is far more electrifying, and that’s how it’s named in Bangkok gemstone shops. But Clinohumite, by any other name, is still Clinohumite.

The Responsible Jewelry Council, now approaching 1,500 members, released its latest progress report along with a joint video on sustainability, featuring leaders in the global diamond, jewelry and watch industry citing collective action as an accelerant for positive change.

Lucara has reported the discovery of a 1,174 carat rough diamond at its Karowe diamond mine in northern Botswana, giving that operation the distinction of being the world’s first to produce three rough diamonds of 1,000 carats or more.

The Jwaneng diamond mine has just produced the third-largest gem quality diamond ever found. This post will cover each of the top four diamonds ever unearthed, three of which have been found in Botswana.

The start of their spectacular ride actually started 10 months ago, in August 2020. Since then, ALROSA’s steady upwards journey reflects a worldwide return to diamonds and jewelry in all sectors from mining and tenders, to polishing, distribution and sales.

Join IGI North American President Avi Levy and Executive Vice President of SCS Global Services Stanley Mathuram for new information on sustainability certification for natural and lab grown diamonds. Registration link inside.