Canadian Diamonds

Canada is now the third largest supplier of diamonds in the world and consumers are taking note. Canadian diamonds are becoming increasingly popular for several reasons:

• Canadian diamonds are conflict free - there are no civil wars in the Canada (no blood diamonds).
• Consumers want to buy locally produced goods, diamonds included.
• Canadian diamond mines and polishing facilities benefit the Aboriginal and Northern peoples in the economically challenged Northwest Territories. Environmental protection laws for new mines are stronger in Canada than Africa, Russia and South America.
• Only Canadian diamonds cut in the Northwest Territories are trackable, guaranteeing 100% non-conflict origin.

Diamonds Cut in Canada

Polar Bear and Polar Ice diamonds are mined, cut, polished and certified in Canada's Northwest Territories. All Polar diamonds are certified and tracked by the government of the Northwest Territories (NWT) from mines, to cutting facility, and then retailer.

Most Canadian diamond rough parcels (uncut crystals) are sold to multinational cutters with facilities primarily in Israel, India, China and Vietnam where labor costs are lower than in Canada. These stone are marketed as Canadian, but are often cut in the same facilities as diamonds of other origins.

Up to 10% of high quality rough are supplied to local manufacturers in Yellow Knife, the capital of the Northwest Territories (NWT). Canada's two active mine owners signed agreements in the late 1990's to support the local secondary diamond industry - cutting and polishing. Polar Bear and Polar Ice diamonds are cut in Yellow Knife supporting the local economy.

Certificate of Authenticity

Canada's first producing diamond mine is located south of the Arctic circle in the Northwest Territories. The diamonds are mined, cut and polished in the Northwest Territories. Governement cerification is used to provide authenticity. There are high standards and requirements throughout the manufacturing process.

The Northwest Territories (NWT) certification provides the diamond proof that high standards were met, including a gemprint. A gemprint is a non-invasive identification system, which scans the image of the diamond. This makes the diamond exclusively Canadian. Also, the diamond is provided with a serial number which is etched by microscopic laser on the girdle of the stone.

To assure authenticity, diamonds also have certificates from an independant lab such as AGS which specializes in special cuts.

All the above measures are taken to provide the consumer with authenticity, satisfaction and above all peace of mind. Look for the Government Certificate to ensure that you are getting a Polar Ice Diamond.