Three rough diamonds which have been collectively dubbed “The Diavik Stars of the Arctic” will form the highlight of a rough diamond tender of specials (diamonds of more than 10.8 cts) to be held soon.

“Rio Tinto and Dominion Diamond Mines have revealed three of the finest large rough diamonds from their Canadian diamond mine that will be tendered to diamond specialists from around the world,” Rio Tinto announced in a press release today.

As the three diamonds – which showcase a rare combination of size, quality and colour --were recovered from the Diavik diamond mine, situated in the remote Northwest Territories of Canada, and 220 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, they have not only been collectively named after the region, but also individually bear the names of constellations across the night skies of the North. As described by Rio Tinto, they are:

• Lot 1: Vega of the Arctic™, 177.71 carats, one of the largest and most valuable gem quality rough diamonds ever produced in Canada
• Lot 2: Altair of the Arctic™, 59.10 carats, a beautiful white gem quality rough diamond; and
• Lot 3: Capella of the Arctic ™, 24.82 carats, a dazzling yellow diamond 

Diavik Diamond Mines president and chief operating officer 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.”

The Diavik Diamond Mine owned by Rio Tinto (60 per cent) and joint venture partner Dominion Diamond Mines (40 per cent) began production in 2003 and has been a fully underground mining operation since 2012. It recently opened its fourth pipe, the A21 pipe, which will provide an important source of incremental production, Rio Tinto said.

The Diavik Stars of the Arctic will be displayed in Antwerp and Israel to large diamond specialists from around the world, before bids close on October 25.