Our Mission
Canada Diamonds exists for a single purpose: to provide accurate, independent, and accessible information about the Canadian diamond industry. We are not a retailer, a wholesaler, or a brokerage. We do not sell diamonds, facilitate transactions, or earn commissions on purchases. Our editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish.
The Canadian diamond industry is one of the most significant natural resource sectors in the country, contributing billions of dollars to the national economy and supporting thousands of jobs across the Northwest Territories, Alberta, and beyond. Yet reliable, consolidated information about this industry — written for both consumers and professionals — has historically been difficult to find. Government reports are technical and fragmented across multiple agencies. Retailer content carries inherent commercial bias. Academic research sits behind paywalls.
We created Canada Diamonds to fill that gap. Every guide, report, and data visualization on this site is built to help you make informed decisions — whether you are purchasing your first engagement ring, researching the economic footprint of diamond mining in the Northwest Territories, or comparing lab-grown alternatives to mined stones.
What We Cover
Our content spans the full breadth of the Canadian diamond landscape, organized into several core areas:
- Diamond Education — Comprehensive guides to the 4Cs (clarity, colour, cut, and carat weight), grading systems, and certification standards. We explain how diamonds are evaluated, what each grade means in practice, and how to balance quality against budget. Our guides reference GIA, AGS, and Canadian-specific grading protocols.
- Industry Data & Analysis — In-depth reports on the Canadian diamond industry, including production volumes, export figures, employment statistics, and economic impact assessments. We track the operational status of Canada's major mines — Ekati, Diavik, and Gahcho Kué — and report on exploration projects, mine closures, and policy developments.
- Buying Guides & Tools — Practical resources for Canadian consumers, including our diamond price calculator, engagement ring buying guide, and comparisons of purchasing channels available in Canada. We cover pricing trends, seasonal fluctuations, and regional differences across Canadian provinces.
- Ethical Sourcing & Sustainability — Analysis of the Kimberley Process, Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct, environmental regulations governing mining in the Northwest Territories, and the growing market for lab-grown diamonds. We examine the full lifecycle of a Canadian diamond, from extraction through cutting, polishing, and retail.
- Historical Context — The story of Canada's diamond industry from Chuck Fipke's discovery at Lac de Gras in 1991 through to the present day, including the development of each major mine and the evolution of Canadian diamond policy.
Our Data Sources
Credibility depends on sourcing. We draw our data and statistics from a range of authoritative, publicly available sources, including:
- Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) — Canada's federal department responsible for natural resource policy, providing official production statistics, export data, and regulatory information for the diamond mining sector.
- Statistics Canada (StatCan) — The national statistical office, which publishes trade data, employment figures, and economic indicators relevant to the mining and minerals sector.
- United States Geological Survey (USGS) — Provides global diamond production estimates and comparative data that allow us to contextualise Canada's position within the worldwide diamond market.
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA) — The world's foremost authority on diamond grading, whose standards and research underpin our educational content on the 4Cs and certification.
- Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) — The international regulatory framework for tracking rough diamond shipments, which we reference in our ethical sourcing analysis.
- Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) — Publishes detailed reports on the socioeconomic impacts of diamond mining, Indigenous benefit agreements, and environmental monitoring data specific to the NWT mining sector.
- Company Filings & Annual Reports — We review publicly available filings from De Beers Canada, Rio Tinto (Diavik), Arctic Canadian Diamond Company (Ekati), and Mountain Province Diamonds (Gahcho Kué) to extract operational data and forward guidance.
When we cite a statistic, we link to the source or identify the publication. When data is estimated or modelled, we state that clearly. If a figure becomes outdated, we update it as soon as new data is released.
Our Editorial Approach
Every piece of content published on Canada Diamonds follows a consistent editorial standard:
- Data-driven — Claims are supported by verifiable data. We do not publish unsupported assertions or marketing-style superlatives.
- No affiliate bias — We do not participate in affiliate marketing programmes for diamond retailers. Our recommendations are based on publicly available pricing data and quality standards, not on commission structures.
- Canadian focus — While we reference global context where relevant, our primary lens is the Canadian market. Pricing is quoted in Canadian dollars. Regulatory references are to Canadian legislation. Consumer advice reflects the Canadian retail landscape.
- Accessible language — We write for a general audience. Industry terminology is explained on first use. Technical concepts are illustrated with practical examples. Our goal is comprehension, not complexity.
- Regular updates — The diamond industry evolves. Mines open and close. Prices shift. Regulations change. We commit to reviewing and updating our core content annually, with breaking developments covered as they occur.
Our Team
Canada Diamonds is maintained by a small team of independent researchers and writers with backgrounds in geology, gemology, economics, and data journalism. Our contributors have collectively spent decades studying the Canadian natural resources sector, and several hold credentials from recognised gemological institutions.
We are not affiliated with any mining company, retailer, or industry trade group. Our operating costs are covered through non-intrusive display advertising and sponsored content, which is always clearly labelled and separated from editorial material. Sponsors have no influence over our editorial decisions or the conclusions of our reports.
Why Independent Information Matters
The diamond industry has a long history of controlled information. For decades, pricing data was opaque, grading was inconsistent, and consumers had limited tools to evaluate what they were buying. While the industry has become more transparent — particularly with the adoption of standardised GIA grading and the rise of online retailers — there remains a significant gap between what sellers tell consumers and what consumers need to know.
An independent resource like Canada Diamonds serves a critical role: providing the context that allows buyers to ask the right questions, understand the answers, and make decisions aligned with their values and budgets. Whether you are spending $2,000 or $200,000, you deserve access to the same quality of information.
We also believe that the Canadian diamond industry itself benefits from informed public discourse. Canada's diamonds are mined under some of the strictest environmental and labour regulations in the world. The story of Canadian diamonds — from discovery to responsible extraction to the global market — is one worth telling accurately and completely.
Get in Touch
We welcome feedback, corrections, and inquiries. If you spot an error in our data, have a suggestion for new content, or would like to discuss a potential collaboration, please reach out through our contact page. Our editorial team reviews all messages and responds within two to three business days.