Canadian Diamonds: A Northern Story of Provenance and Respect
Our Canadian diamonds trace their origins to the remote northern landscapes where ice, time, and tradition shape every stone.
At Shimell and Madden, we’re drawn to diamonds with stories, stones shaped not only by geology but by the people and places connected to them. Our Canadian diamonds are sourced through Misfit Diamonds, whose commitment to full documentation and transparent provenance allows each stone to be traced back to the icy landscapes where it first emerged.
The larger diamonds we offer travel from the Gahcho Kué Mine, while the smaller stones originate at Ekati. Both mines sit deep in the Northwest Territories, on the traditional territories of the Tłįchǫ, Dene, and Métis peoples. In these remote northern expanses, where the land holds both beauty and fragility, a distinct approach to mining has taken shape, one guided by collaboration, environmental care, and long-term respect.
Gahcho Kué
Gahcho Kué lies roughly 300 kilometres east-northeast of Yellowknife, perched on the edge of the continuous permafrost zone. The region is often called “the barren lands,” not for a lack of life, but because the landscape stretches open and treeless, a vast tundra where winters are long and the ground is ancient and still. Here, Mountain Province Diamonds and De Beers Canada operate as partners, sharing responsibility for one of the most significant diamond mines in the country.
For Mountain Province, stewardship is not a slogan but a guiding principle. Their connection to the Indigenous communities of the area shapes their approach, from how land is protected, to how wildlife is monitored, to how the economic value of the mine is shared. They operate with the awareness that this place is not only a site of resource extraction but a homeland, woven with cultural history and ecological significance. Their work is grounded in the belief that the land, the people, and the animals should continue to thrive long after the last diamond is unearthed.
Documenting Every Step: From Rough Crystal to Polished Stone
Misfit Diamonds has worked closely with its vendors to secure parcels of diamonds directly from Gahcho Kué, a process rooted in meticulous record-keeping and visual documentation. Each rough stone begins its journey fully accounted for, purchased in closed lots, weighed, counted, and supported by matching invoices and Kimberley Process documentation from the mine’s site holders through to the manufacturing partners.
Before cutting, every diamond is photographed and filmed in its raw crystalline state, captured exactly as it emerged from the earth. These images become the first chapter of each stone’s story. As the diamonds move through the cutting and polishing stages, Misfit continues to track them, pairing the finished gem with its original rough counterpart. The result is a truly transparent chain of custody, an emerging blueprint for how the company hopes to source all its diamonds in the future.
Ekati
Our smaller Canadian diamonds come from the Ekati Mine, located about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife in the remote tundra. Ekati was the first diamond mine in Canada, and its name—meaning “Fat Lake” in the Tłįchǫ language, reflects the region’s deep Indigenous connections.
Today, the mine is owned by Arctic Canadian Diamond Company, with marketing led by Burgundy Diamond Mines. Their philosophy is grounded in communication and listening first: understanding the needs and values of Indigenous and local communities before taking action. Their work centres on responsible operations, the protection of workers, and environmental stewardship in a place where ecosystems are sensitive and seasons extreme. Through social responsibility and thoughtful engagement, Burgundy Diamond Mines aims to ensure that the benefits of Ekati extend outward, supporting people, wildlife, and local economies.
Crafted With Care: Responsible Manufacturing
Once extracted, our Canadian melee is polished through a partner certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council. This certification ensures that the factories, supply chains, and working conditions meet internationally recognised standards of ethics and environmental responsibility. It is the final step in a sourcing journey built on transparency, accountability, and care.
Why These Diamonds Matter
Canadian diamonds carry the quiet power of the North within them, a story of tundra landscapes, community partnerships, and a commitment to doing things with intention. Choosing one of these stones means choosing a diamond whose entire life can be traced, whose journey honours both land and people, and whose brilliance reflects more than geological beauty.
If you’d like help finding the right Canadian diamond for your piece, we’re here to guide you through every step of the journey. We can create custom rings using these fully traceable stones from Misfit Diamonds.
