Rare yellow diamond found at Rio Tinto’s Diavik mine

Rio Tinto (ASX, LON,: RIO) has unearthed a 158.20-carat gem-quality yellow diamond at its Diavik mine, located 200 km south of the Arctic Circle in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The precious rock is one of only five yellow diamonds weighing more than 100 carats ever found at Diavik in its 22-year history. 

Diavik’s production primarily consists of white gem-quality diamonds, with less than one percent of its production yielding rare yellow diamonds. 

“This two billion year old, natural Canadian diamond, is a miracle of nature and testament to the skill and fortitude of all the men and women who work in Diavik’s challenging sub-Arctic environment,” chief operating officer Matt Breen said in a statement.

Since it opened in 2003, Diavik has produced remarkable diamonds. In 2018, the company unveiled a 552-carat yellow gem quality stone, believed to be the largest diamond ever found in North America, about the size of a chicken-egg. 

The previous record for a North American diamond, also found at Diavik, was the 187.7-carat “Foxfire”, unearthed in 2015.

“The beauty and purity of Diavik diamonds continues to excite passions amongst all who see them and we look forward to following the onward journey of this very special diamond,” Patrick Coppens, general manager of sales and marketing for Rio Tinto’s diamonds business said.

The mining company has said it is committed to operating Diavik sustainably, with renewable energy playing an increasingly significant part. Since 2012, the site has operated a hybrid wind-diesel power facility, and in 2024, Diavik completed the construction of a solar power plant.