The Diavik Stars of the Arctic – three rough diamonds mined at Canada’s Diavik mine – were unveiled by Rio Tinto and Dominion Diamond Mines and “will be tendered to diamond specialists from around the world”. According to a press release, The Diavik Stars of the Arctic will be “showcased in Antwerp and Israel to large diamond specialists from around the world before bids close on October 25”.
The Diavik Stars will headline Rio Tinto’s forthcoming “Specials” Tender (bigger than than 10.8 carats). They consist of “Vega of the Arctic”, weighing 177.71 carats, “one of the largest and most valuable gem quality rough diamonds ever produced in Canada”; the “Altair of the Arctic”, weighing 59.10 carats, a white gem quality rough diamond; and “Capella of the Arctic”, weighing 24.82 carats, a yellow diamond.
Diavik Diamond Mines president and CEO Patrick Boitumelo said: “Diavik diamonds are over two billion years old and it has taken 15 years of production to unearth these extraordinary diamonds, underscoring the ongoing importance of the Diavik orebody in the context of the global diamond industry.
