Article on Canadian Diamonds

[Enzo Virno]

I just found this on line

GLOBAL MINING LEADER PUT ITS MARK ON CANADIAN DIAMONDS

BHP Billiton has introduced the world’s most accurate tracking system for diamonds. In order to regulate the Canadian diamond Industry, BHP has created the only functionally accurate tracking system. Unlike other Canadian Diamond monitoring systems such as the voluntary code of conduct, that only monitors the origin of the diamond but not guarantee every stone for its authenticity, Canadamark guarantees the diamonds origin right from the Ekati mine. The diamonds will have the hallmark inscribed on the girdle; be tracked through the selling, cutting and polishing processes; be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity; and be priced competitively.
The leading Canadian Brands such as the Arctic Ice, Maple and Tundra diamonds have signed contracts to carry the program, making them the only exclusive dealers of BHP representation in North America for its polished diamonds.

BHP’s initiative to mark and identify diamonds from Ekati will in time set new stringent standards for all sectors of the industry from manufacturing, grading, marketing to customer care. Executives from Arctic Ice Canada which is exclusively distributed by MDL Merchants (Canada) Inc. believe that this is the only fool proof and legitimate system for verifying Conflict free, Canadian origin and hope to market the Arctic Ice Brand with Canadamark ™ tracking system continent wide by late Fall 2003.



Background On Canadamark.

What is Canadamark?
CanadaMark is the defining symbol of origin that legitimises any Canadian Brand that bears it.

Who Guarantees CanadaMark?
Canadamark is Backed by BHP Billiton.
The Operators of Ekati TM, Canada’s First Diamond Mine

Why Canadamark ?
With a direct Link To the Mine Itself, CanadaMark Provides Instant Assurance of Origin and Reliable Supply of High Quality Untreated Canadian Diamonds

www.canadamark.com

Anyone know more about this???????/

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Yes.
I have seen the proiposal - it is not forever (punny) but every dealer cutter retailer etc must keep records of who they sold the stone to for 7 years.
Very messy when you must be able to trace backwards for an audit.

i.e. They ask you to show where stone # 7032860 went.
We can easily track the stones forward - i.e. make sure that every stone can be traced back to who we bought it from and when - it is the curse of implimenting yet another system that will never change and always be retrievable - i mean we have old computer systems that became redundant and they are in the shed with their great big floppy disks - just in case we one day need to be able to find something - problem is who knows how to turn them on today!!!

 

[Enzo Virno]

7 Years is a long time to keep track of things.
are you sure its not 5 yrs

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

7
certain

 

[Enzo Virno]

Would you know the reasons why the duration is so long.

who is responsible for tracking the jewelery store or their supplier?????

 

[Greatcall]

Is Canadamark a brand like polar bear, Eskimo, or Maple Leaf????

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

BHP Billiton are doing it with the Canadian Gov't.
I think it is a Canadian Gov't initiative for all canadian mined stones where the vendor wishes to claim the goods are from Canada.
They can be cut anywhere on earth.
Everyone in the pipeline keeps 7 year records - miner, rough dealer, cutter, polished dealer, jewellry manuf. and retaler.

 

[DiaMag]

It's not actually a government-backed initiative. It is BHP Billiton's own private initiative.

It's a hallmark branding program. So what it means is that if you have your own brand of Canadian Diamonds, you can go to BHP and sign on to their CanadaMark program. They'll provide you with CanadaMark stones and certificates of origin, and you have to put your brand on the stone as well.

 

[steveg]

Enzo, maybe you can help me out.

I've tried searching for the article you quoted, but can't seem to find it anywhere. Do you still have the link?

Thanks!

Steve