CANADIAN DIAMONDS

The most exquisite and brilliant gems

Maple Leaf Diamonds™ are mined in the pristine wilds of northern Canada. They are formed deep within the earth millions of years ago, eventually emerging as beautiful, one of a kind treasures. They are some of the most highly prized diamonds in the world.

Today the Canadian North has become symbolic of the purity and beauty of Canadian Diamonds. They are ranked among the world’s most exquisite and valued gems. Maple Leaf Diamonds™ are guaranteed natural and untreated and have a distinct maple leaf insignia and tracking number laser inscribed on the girdle. This unique inscription allows for each diamond to be tracked throughout the journey from the rough crystal to the finished treasure, guaranteeing its Canadian origin.

Maple Leaf Diamonds™, a Canadian Diamond brand since 2001, combines Canadian diamonds with the art of jewellery design and Canadian Certified Gold. Our over 55 years of expertise and superb craftsmanship culminates in beautiful and timeless jewellery piece.

Kimberlite
Kimberlite

CANADIAN DIAMONDS

Diamond Formation

Somewhere between 900 million and 3.2 billion years ago, diamonds were formed 150 - 200 kilometres below the earth’s surface under extreme pressure and high temperatures. These perfect conditions caused carbon atoms that were free floating in the magma of the earth’s upper mantle to crystalize into diamonds. Cataclysmic volcanic eruptions brought these crystalized diamonds to the surface in igneous rocks called – kimberlites.

Generally these volcanic eruptions of kimberlite create a cone shaped formation that may result in a pipe that is potentially a commercial diamond mine.

In Canada the volcanic cones were subsequently scoured by moving glaciers of 1,000 metres very thick ice. The receding glaciers deposited the diamonds and the associated indicator minerals all across the northern portion of North America and in some cases landing more than 500 km from their host kimberlite pipes. Geologists prospect for new kimberlite pipes by looking for concentrations of indicator minerals, such as a type of garnet, olivine, ilmenites and diopside that are also formed in the earth’s upper mantle and also found in kimberlite.

The diamonds mined in Canada were brought to the surface 45-60 million years ago. The discovery of diamonds in Canada represents an unprecedented feat of geological exploration and perseverance.

CANADIAN DIAMONDS

Discovery of Canadian Diamonds

In 1991, after more than a decade of exhaustive exploration under extreme conditions, Canadian geologists Charles Fipke and Stuart Blusson culminated their determined quest for diamonds with the discovery of what is today the Ekati Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories. Ekati, Canada’s 1st diamond mine, is about 200 km south of the Arctic Circle, in the Lac de Gras region. As a result of this and subsequent discoveries Canada has become the third largest supplier of gem quality diamonds in the world by value.

All the mining companies are committed to operating in a sustainable manner and with the utmost integrity to enhance the positive economic, environmental and social impacts of the mines. Their commitment is guided by the principles of social responsibility, environmental stewardship and economic sustainability.

The mining companies work collaboratively with Aboriginal and local community leaders, stakeholder groups and governments by sharing information and engaging to better understand their needs and expectations.

To meet their commitment to help protect the fragile northern environment, they maintain a high standard of environmental stewardship throughout all phases of their operations.

Mining in Canada has some of the strictest mining regulations in the world and Dominion Diamond for instance, the operator of the Ekati Diamond Mine, has posted surety bonds with the Government of the Northwest Territories (the \"GNWT\") in the aggregate amount of CDN$253,473,000 to secure the obligation under its Water Licence to reclaim the Ekati mine site should they leave unexpectedly.

Exploration of Canadian Diamonds

CANADIAN DIAMONDS

Exploration of
Canadian Diamonds

Canada’s large scale diamond mining operations began in 1998 after decades of constant exploration by Canadian geologists. Canada currently has four diamond mines: Ekati, Diavik and Gahcho Kué in the Northwest Territories and Renard in Quebec. Their combined production ensures Canada's current position as the third largest diamond producer in the world. The mines are located in some of the world’s most extreme environments with vast untouched lands that are the natural habitat for bears, wolverine, and caribou. These and other factors are carefully studied to ensure the mines operate under the most environmentally responsible standards, with the greatest amount of social consciousness and First Nations involvement.