Candian Diamonds

[cherylanne68]

I believe that Canada is the third largest diamond mining country...I''ve also heard my jewler talk about how ''wonderful and special'' Canadian diamonds are.

IS there anything special about a Canadian mined diamond?

Thanks for the info.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 7/30/2009 5:11:34 PM
Author:cherylanne68
I believe that Canada is the third largest diamond mining country...I''ve also heard my jewler talk about how ''wonderful and special'' Canadian diamonds are.

IS there anything special about a Canadian mined diamond?

Thanks for the info.

There is a marketing hype on Canadian diamonds as being "higher quality" and this is perpetuated by vendors in Canada.

It is true the diamond quality out of the canadian mines is of general higher quality than other mines but that means nothing to you as a consumer.
Most Canadian diamonds come with a GEMSCAN not GIA report. Gemscan is less consistent and softer than GIA so beware.

A Canadian diamond with a GIA report report of color D is no better than a D graded diamonds from somewherelse. Compare the GIA reports and your eyes and ignore where the diamond came from unless you are one of those people who are willing to pay the premium to say you bought "Canadian".

 

[Moh 10]

Now that we have the Kimberly Process I'd not pay a penny more for a diamond from Canada.

In fact, poor a country needs more economic boos than rich one, so if I was going to use country of origin as a factor Canada would be near the bottom of my list.

Then again, color only goes from D to Z.
Maybe C is for Canada.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/30/2009 6:26:47 PM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

It is true the diamond quality out of the canadian mines is of general higher quality than other mines but that means nothing to you as a consumer.
Most Canadian diamonds come with a GEMSCAN not GIA report. Gemscan is less consistent and softer than GIA so beware.

I had not heard prior to this post anything about diamonds being mined in Canda being of a higher quality. If it IS true, I''d be interested in hearing more. Diamond experts here have come on...well...at least one...and have spoken about the material a diamond is made of as one of the characteristics nearly never discussed on this board of diamonds. So, though Chunky says a) they''re better and b) consumers needn''t care, I don''t know why to assume (b) either, independent of (a).

Separately again, Moh''s position is one repeated by Garry, and is a reasonable one...but...again, all can be reasonable in politics, given the actual value of one purchase with respect to making a difference and symbolism.

In Canada, the culture of mining, while maybe not vastly different from Africa, is I think measurably different, where the wage of the miner is considered relevant, and this becomes part of the purported ethical decision/option of the buyer...and by buying Canadian, you can be supporting a different value system this way.

A very small movement in African mining, given some kind of push, but in an economy gone to hell, is from Rapaport, and is in the area of fair trade diamonds. But, I doubt today or some distance from tomorrow you''d be able to get your hands on one of these, though for those strongly ethically minded...I''d put that ahead of the Canada ones, and I''ll bet your pocket book would be the wiser.

Otherwise, although the logic of giving an economic boost to a poor country is both the default mainstream decision, and one that I can understand...it''s not very interesting, while being normative. It''s the standard approach. To say it''s made from the point of view of ethical investing would be a stretch, from the point of view of actually trying to make a point. But...if it is in your mind as you make the purchase, I''d say it counts for something.

 

[Ellen]

There is a thread within this thread, both of which touch on this topic. Perhaps it will help?

 

[diagem]

Canadian run-of-mine Diamonds are considered higher grade (means the $$/carat average is considered higher than the average run-of-mine).
Size/weight-wise they are on the lower end of the average run-of-mine scale..., Canadian specials (10.80 ct+) are considered pretty rare.

All this has nothing to do with individual Diamond purchases.
Canadian Companies tried to brand their Diamonds as "better/cleaner" vs. the blood Diamond stories that were coming out of Africa, but didnt have much success as there is no real reason or added value to charge any premiums on Canadian Diamonds.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/31/2009 9:32:23 AM
Author: DiaGem

All this has nothing to do with individual Diamond purchases.
Canadian Companies tried to brand their Diamonds as ''better/cleaner'' vs. the blood Diamond stories that were coming out of Africa, but didnt have much success as there is no real reason or added value to charge any premiums on Canadian Diamonds.

NPR did a little ditty recently about a small town, where you can say that the exception is so unusual that it backs up your rule.

In an election, the selection of town official (mayor?) was determined by a pick of cards...where the higher value on the card selection decided the election. Why? The vote actually was split. But...really, how rare is that. So, it proves your point.

Yes...don''t vote. No reason to. It doesn''t make a difference, practically speaking.

(caveat, this point is not going to the substance of the decision...merely to the determination of whether or not to give any consideration as to the function of your ethical choice).

 

[elle_chris]

I had a jeweler once tell me that Canadian diamonds have better transparency. Not sure what he meant, or if it''s even true?

 

[diagem]

Date: 7/31/2009 9:49:39 AM
Author: elle_chris
I had a jeweler once tell me that Canadian diamonds have better transparency. Not sure what he meant, or if it''s even true?

I believe the % of fluo. Diamonds in the run-of-mine is considered low vs. average..., maybe thats why Canadian Diamonds have better transparency??