Diavik Yields a 158-ct Yellow Diamond
April 01, 25
(IDEX Online) - Rio Tinto has recovered a huge yellow diamond from its Diavik mine, on the edge of the Arctic Circle, in Canada.
The miner described the 158.20 carat rough as "exceptional". It is one of only five +100-cts yellow diamonds unearthed at Diavik since it opened 22 years ago.
Matt Breen, chief operating officer at Diavik, said: "This two billion year old, natural Canadian diamond, is a miracle of nature and testament to the skill and fortitude of all the men and women who work in Diavik's challenging sub-Arctic environment."
The vast majority of the mine's production consists of white gem quality diamonds. Yellow stones represent less than one per cent of its production.
In 2018 the mine, then jointly owned by Dominion, yielded a far larger 552.74-carat yellow diamond, described as the size of a chicken's egg and known as the 552.
Rio Tinto reported a $127m loss for 2024 at Diavik, its only diamond mine, in February, as weak market conditions led to "fixed cost inefficiencies". The mine is due to close next year.
Pic courtesy Rio Tinto.