Diavik gifts one of its last diamonds to Yellowknife Historical Society

One of the last diamonds produced at the NWT’s Diavik diamond mine will soon be on display in Yellowknife. 

During a town hall meeting on Thursday evening to update residents on the mine’s closure and reclamation plans, Diavik presented a 3.4-carat rough diamond to the Yellowknife Historical Society. 

Diavik general manager Gord Stephenson said the diamond was among six selected from the mine’s final production run in March. 

“We were quite excited to present one of six of what we’re calling our last rough diamonds,” Stephenson told Cabin Radio.

He said the donation was intended to preserve a piece of the mine’s history and legacy in Yellowknife. 

Yellowknife Historical Society president Helmut Epp, accepting the donation, said the uncut diamond would join the society’s existing rock display – which includes pieces of kimberlite – and could be on display at the Yellowknife Historical Museum soon. 

Diavik ended commercial diamond production in March after nearly 23 years of operation.