When Archduke Maximilian of Austria slipped the first diamond engagement ring on Mary Burgundy in 1447, the history for diamond rings was changed forever.
Patricia Caffet, Director at NWT Diamond Centre, showcases and engagement ring adorned with Forevermark diamonds from De Beers.
Brett McGarry/NNSL Photo
Although diamonds were considered precious or sacred long before, that gesture ingrained diamond rings in western culture as the gemstone of eternal love.
SA国际影视传媒淭he reason they're considered the gemstone of marriage has a lot to do with the fact they last forever,SA国际影视传媒� said Patricia Caffet, director at NWT Diamond Centre.
SA国际影视传媒淚t's the toughest substance in the world and symbolic of an enduring marriage. When you purchase a diamond, it's a gift of love, but it's more than that. It's something that stays in the family for generations.SA国际影视传媒�
Diamonds themselves have been a driving force in the economy of the NWT, leading Yellowknife to earn the title SA国际影视传媒渄iamond capital of North AmericaSA国际影视传媒� as industry began to expand in 1998 with the opening of Ekati diamond mine by BHP Billiton, now owned by Dominion Diamond, which is also a minority owner of Diavik Diamond Mine and produces the True North Diamond Brand.
The third diamond mine, Gahcho Kue, is owned by De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds. De Beers produces the Forevermark brand.
Diamonds mined in the NWT can carry a certain amount of satisfaction for those who want responsibly sourced diamonds, which is something people are very interested in today, according to Caffet.
SA国际影视传媒淎 diamond from Canada is far cleaner and more ecologically responsible than most diamonds from around the world,SA国际影视传媒� Caffet said. SA国际影视传媒淔or each mine there is a remediation plan in place to return mines to their natural beauty, like the now closed Snap Lake mine.SA国际影视传媒�
Diamonds from Canada are also laser tagged with a code and tracked to ensure potential buyers that they are not from conflict zones.
SA国际影视传媒淭he laser mark is unmistakable and irreversible so each diamond can be certified and accounted for. To remove one would ruin the faceting (or cut) of the diamond.SA国际影视传媒�
Brett McGarry/NNSL Photo
A diamond under magnification to show the laser marked identification code. All Canadian diamonds are laser marked in a similar fashion so they can be tracked and quality and responsible sourcing can be ensured.
In an age where young people are getting married less than ever, Caffet says engagement rings still hold up a decent portion of sales just not here in NWT.
SA国际影视传媒淚've worked a lot outside of the territory and engagement rings certainly are a staple in terms of sales in the diamond market, but just not here,SA国际影视传媒� Caffet said with a laugh. SA国际影视传媒淚n the diamond centre a lot of sales are in souvenir pieces or just loose diamonds as an investment. But there hasn't really been any kind of decline for engagement rings,SA国际影视传媒� Caffet said.
On principle, Caffet says the NWT Diamond Centre only carries Canadian diamonds and would not carry laboratory-grown or synthetic diamonds.
SA国际影视传媒淪ome people may want them because of the cheaper price point, but why wear something, or buy something for your partner, that isn't authentic?SA国际影视传媒� Caffet asked. SA国际影视传媒淭hey might as well buy cubic zirconium.SA国际影视传媒�
Brett McGarry/NNSL Photo
Hau Huynh, jeweller and owner of Arctic Jewellers since 1999, shares the same sentiment.
SA国际影视传媒淲e do not carry any lab diamonds,SA国际影视传媒� Huynh said. SA国际影视传媒淪ometimes our dealers and advertisers will want them to be sold in the store, but I always say, 'no, I'd rather go Canadian.SA国际影视传媒�
According to Huynh, the majority of people coming into Arctic Jewellers are looking for Canadian diamonds. He sells a multitude of gem stones including non-Canadian diamonds.
SA国际影视传媒淥nly maybe 10 per cent want to mix different gems but almost all the clientele want Canadian gems and want to support Canadian industry,SA国际影视传媒� Huynh said.
Of those who come to buy Canadian diamonds, about half of Huynh's clients are looking for engagement rings.
SA国际影视传媒淭here are options from $2,500 to $25,000 but people are still buying diamonds for engagement rings and many are still young,SA国际影视传媒� Huynh said.
Despite there being cheaper options on the market, Caffet encourages people to focus on the gesture rather than the price tag.
SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of people might tell a young man to get a diamond ring worth three months pay, which something I'd never do,SA国际影视传媒� Caffet said. SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of young married couples are just starting out, might already have a few kids, so it's important to focus on what can be afforded now. There's always anniversaries.SA国际影视传媒�
