Although almost half of the world’s diamonds come from Central and South Africa, there are other areas of the world that yield the most coveted gemstones, such as Australia for its Pink diamonds and India who led diamond production until the mid-18th century. However, now it seems that the diamond mine Ekati, is putting Canadian diamond production on the map, thanks to last month’s auction.
A 78 carat Rough diamond which was discovered in the Ekati mine, located outside of Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories, last October, has been sold at auction for $2.8 million. The sale, which took place in Antwerp, set a new record for price paid for a Canadian diamond. Previously the record was set by a 10.22 Pear shaped diamond which sold for $1.2 million.
Not surprising considering the resurgence in popularity that the traditional Pear Shaped diamond has seen lately.
In 2001 Nick Lachey proposed to Jessica Simpson with a 3.5 carat pear shaped diamond engagement ring, with two smaller Pear shaped flanking diamonds. Although the marriage didn’t last, the unique engagement ring is still known as one of the most popular celebrity engagement rings.
A few years later in 2006, actress Katherine Heigl became engaged to singer Josh Kelley after meeting on the set of his music video ‘Only You.’ The country music star proposed with a combination of two popular styles, a Pear shaped center diamond set into a halo of smaller diamonds and placed onto a pave’ set band.
Coincidentally, to get the look of Heigl’s engagement ring, look at the Venetian 5007 from Verragio, which can be custom ordered to hold a Pear shaped diamond center surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds, set onto a pave’ set, split shank.
Most recently, reality star and Chef Bethanny Frankel became engaged to New York business man Jason Hoppy when he proposed with a 6.5 carat Pear shaped diamond engagement ring, reportedly worth $150,000.
No word on if this latest Canadian diamond, named the “Ekati Spirit” will also be cut into a Pear, due to the buyer’s name being kept private, however BHP Billiton, the owner of the Ekati , has called this the most significant diamond to date discovered at the mine.