Canadians, eh!

[Selly]

Any difference between an African stone v. Canadian stone - apart for geopolitical considerations? There isn''t any difference in quality is there?

Apologizes - I''m new and still learning.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Funny topic title

No difference in finished quality, except for the color and clarity nature gave each piece and the cut man provided.

Mined rough has sharp edges, whereas alluvial rough becomes worn and rounded by water activity, but again, once polished; no appreciable difference.

 

[Selly]

John,

Mined = African and Alluvial = Canadian?

Also, any difference in cost?

Thanks.

 

[kcoursolle]

I don''t know a lot about this, but I think canadian diamonds often carry a slight (5%?) premium because they are associated with being "conflict free."

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 9/22/2006 5:06:17 PM
Author: Selly
John,

Mined = African and Alluvial = Canadian?

Also, any difference in cost?

Thanks.

Sorry if that was implied; I was referring to diamonds of any origin. Canadian diamonds do come from kimberlite fields, but African diamonds are found in both alluvial and hard rock deposits.

An alluvial deposit is a buildup of alluvium, or sediment. Historically, riverbank deposits in India, then Brazil, were mined to supply Europe through the 1700s. Alluvial diamonds were found in Africa in the late 1800s.

Diamonds in rock were first located in Kimberley South Africa in 1869. Over the next century thousands of thus-named “kimberlite” pipes were developed in Africa and Russia. 40 years ago a diamond-bearing lamproite pipe was found in Australia (the Argyle mine) and in the 1990s the Ekati kimberlite was found under a Canadian lake. Canada is being aggressively explored and developed now.

The big producers are Africa, Russia, Australia and Canada. Asia and South America are also commercially important. Alluvial diamonds are mined in riverbed, coastal and deep sea operations and hard rock diamonds are mined using an open pit or underground process.

One of the big topics at the recent GIA Symposium was about Canada’s future in the global diamond market. Billiton, Rio Tinto and DeBeers are all developing discoveries in Canada right now. There is one in Saskatchewan being created atop the world’s largest existing diamondiferous kimberlite field. Canada’s output is predicted to increase dramatically in the next 8 years. In many places Canada has marketed their diamonds' origins (Canada Mark) with a premium based on provenance.

For anyone who has it, the Fall 2005 issue of G&G has a Russell Shor article that’s a great overview of current global geography and production. I picked it up to be sure I remembered producing areas correctly and found myself reading all 32 pages.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

great educative material John.

unanswered question - Canadian are almost entirely pipe hard rock diamonds.

African are mainly pipe in developed countries (southern and central), and alluvial in undeveloped countries with undeveloped infrastructure - mostly in West central African countries where governments are just starting to become stable and fairly governed. But there will be pipes found there, and legitimate diamond mining will probably become very important for the econimies of these young nations. (pipe mining requires better infrastructure - which is often provided by the companies that build the mines).

Date: 9/23/2006 4:16:47 AM
Author: JohnQuixote

Billiton, Rio Tinto and DeBeers are all developing discoveries in Canada right now.

Point of Order Sir John: Billiton is a South African company that was merged (i.e. taken over) with BHP (Aussie) and their name is BHP Billiton. The bold emphasis is usually placed like that. In a few years it is unlikely Billiton will be part of the name - but the Billiton CEO has been a great asset to the company. Weather willing, he will probably be riding down the beach with a few thousand of us tomorrow morning.

Anyone know what BHP stands for?

 

[Selly]

Thanks for all the info. I''m amazed by how much I''ve learned here in just a few days - I probably won''t spend any less than I had planned but will definitely get my money''s worth now. In the end, my ff will be the beneficiary of your expertise. Again, may thanks. (Apologies for c&p ing the same post from the thread entitled "measurments.")

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 9/23/2006 6:36:12 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)

Point of Order Sir John: Billiton is a South African company that was merged (i.e. taken over) with BHP (Aussie) and their name is BHP Billiton. The bold emphasis is usually placed like that. In a few years it is unlikely Billiton will be part of the name - but the Billiton CEO has been a great asset to the company. Weather willing, he will probably be riding down the beach with a few thousand of us tomorrow morning.

Thanks Garry. Some yanks shorten it in casual conversation - and we should not.

Anyone know what BHP stands for?

Likely the pros do. How about a hint?
It relates to where the first deposits the company mined were found.

 

[wifey2b]

Date: 9/22/2006 3:10:30 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
Funny topic title

No difference in finished quality, except for the color and clarity nature gave each piece and the cut man provided.

Mined rough has sharp edges, whereas alluvial rough becomes worn and rounded by water activity, but again, once polished; no appreciable difference.

I can''t resist this...now JQ, do you know as much about us as you do our diamonds - giggle
I love teasing JQ - he''s a sweetie and I know he just prays that all Canadians aren''t as crazy as this one :} Good info JQ!!!

 

[anchor31]

About the price question, some vendors have a premium for Canadian stones, but some don''t (those usually only sell Canadian stones). It just takes a little research. Good luck in your diamond search!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 9/23/2006 10:42:12 AM
Author: wifey2b

Date: 9/22/2006 3:10:30 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
Funny topic title

No difference in finished quality, except for the color and clarity nature gave each piece and the cut man provided.

Mined rough has sharp edges, whereas alluvial rough becomes worn and rounded by water activity, but again, once polished; no appreciable difference.

I can't resist this...now JQ, do you know as much about us as you do our diamonds - giggle
I love teasing JQ - he's a sweetie and I know he just prays that all Canadians aren't as crazy as this one :} Good info JQ!!!

LOL. I’ll let you be the judge of that, Miss W2B.

...I grew up and went to college in WA state so I was a frequent border-crosser (eh?). My experience with the lovely Canadian people is first-hand; what I know about Ekati is just from study: I’ve been to BC, Alberta & Ontario but not the NWT yet.

I was back in the Pacific NW this summer and stayed in Victoria for several days – fishing, golfing, hiking and listening to spirited live music on the streets and in the pubs. One of my favorite things about Canada is the lack of violence (with the exception of the recent shooting).

In college I dated a girl from Banff and I’d have to say she was alluviual; very sweet gal with no rough edges.

 

[wifey2b]

Date: 9/23/2006 2:43:12 PM
Author: JohnQuixote

Date: 9/23/2006 10:42:12 AM
Author: wifey2b

Date: 9/22/2006 3:10:30 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
Funny topic title

No difference in finished quality, except for the color and clarity nature gave each piece and the cut man provided.

Mined rough has sharp edges, whereas alluvial rough becomes worn and rounded by water activity, but again, once polished; no appreciable difference.

I can''t resist this...now JQ, do you know as much about us as you do our diamonds - giggle
I love teasing JQ - he''s a sweetie and I know he just prays that all Canadians aren''t as crazy as this one :} Good info JQ!!!

LOL. I’ll let you be the judge of that, Miss W2B.

...I grew up and went to college in WA state so I was a frequent border-crosser (eh?). My experience with the lovely Canadian people is first-hand; what I know about Ekati is just from study: I’ve been to BC, Alberta & Ontario but not the NWT yet.

I was back in the Pacific NW this summer and stayed in Victoria for several days – fishing, golfing, hiking and listening to spirited live music on the streets and in the pubs. One of my favorite things about Canada is the lack of violence (with the exception of the recent shooting).

In college I dated a girl from Banff and I’d have to say she was alluviual; very sweet gal with no rough edges.

Well, I am not from Banff, but my dear - the rest of the description fits me - but nope - twasn''t me giggle...I am glad you enjoy our country as much as I enjoy yours...ok, maybe I enjoy yours a bit more...after all you have strmrdr

Keep up the good work JQ...your posts are very informative :}