Posted by AGORACOM
at 4:16 PM on Tuesday, May 18th, 2021
Arctic Star Exploration (ADD:TSXV / ASDZF:OTCQB ) is in the diamond finding business.
Arctic Star has spent years building up to the moment where it could say it made a discovery. Now it can. Four times over, and potentially a whole field of Kimberlites that may contain diamonds. And they have done this by merely looking where no one had considered previously.
The spring 2021 exploration program on the Diagras project, Lac de Gras district, NWT. has yielded 4 Kimberlite discoveries, the latest named Cedar, and it was found like the others; drilling a distinct EM anomaly.
This is the real secret of Arctic Star. They havet tremendous potential to revolutionize the way in which Diamonds are discovered – and become a pioneer in the exploration industry – by finding diamonds in a place where no previous explorer thought to do so. Now more than just a wild theory, Arctic Star has the team to back it up to continue the discovery process.
Here are the 3 things you need to know
1. World Class Diamond Finders
Arctic Star exploration has a highly experienced diamond exploration team previously responsible for numerous world class diamond mine discoveries. The team is led by Buddy Doyle who originally discovered Diavik Mine, Canada’s largest diamond mine in terms of carat production. Diavik’s exceptional grades make it one of the most valuable diamond mines in the world. Diavik is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, where Arctic Star has 2 of their diamond properties.
Few geologists have seen 2 projects from discovery through to decision to mine. Mr. Doyle is recognized by his peers in the exploration industry as an authority on diamond exploration and kimberlite geology, and has authored/co-authored numerous papers on these subjects. He was awarded the 2007 Hugo Dummitt Award for excellence in Diamond exploration.
Roy Spencer – If that wasn’t enough, the geologist who discovered the multi-billion-dollar Grib Diamond Mine in Russia (see above). which is just 450 KMs away from Arctic Star’s project in Finland, has now joined Arctic’s Board of Directors! Clearly, the Arctic Star team has the credibility necessary to put forth a new thesis on how to find diamonds.
2. Brand New Exploration Model To Find Diamonds
In order to find diamonds, you need to first find Kimberlites. What are Kimberlites? Essentially, they are the rocks which contain diamonds. These kimberlite rocks are found underground in vertical structures known as kimberlite pipes. To illustrate in simple terms, see this basic image of a kimberlite pipe with kimberlite rocks inside of it. Arctic has to date, found 4 of these and plan on testing each kimberlite found for diamonds.
Kimberlite pipes are the biggest source of diamonds today. When exploration companies go looking for kimberlites, the industry standard for finding them is to look for magnetic signatures. This is done by taking a magnetic survey from the air and/or ground. with a device called a magnetometer. Now, most of you won’t understand what you are looking at – but here is an example of one of the company’s magnetic surveys on its Canadian Diagras property.
The most important thing to understand is that the industry looks for magnetic signatures ….. but Buddy Doyle and the accomplished Arctic Star team have developed a NON MAGNETIC THESIS. They believe they will find economic diamonds by locating Kimberlite that do not have a magnetic signature where previous explores sought not to look. Arctic in a sense is exploring for diamonds the opposite way the industry traditionally does. Arctic acquired property big mining company’s dropped, because they looked at them one way. Arctic is looking differently and success is occurring quickly for this small, yet accomplished exploration outfit. There are already multiple drill ready targets in 2 countries using this new way of looking for diamonds; and proven correct in one; Finland will be next to prove without a doubt Arctic HAS discovered a new way of finding diamonds.
Arctic offers multiple opportunities in 2 countries to turn the Diamond Industry on notice with a discovery.
3. Arctic Star Has Two Diamond Projects Ready To Verify Its Non-Magnetic Theory
Arctic has 2 diamond projects on which to verify its theory: Diagras in Northwest Territories of Canada and Timantti in Finland, where early exploration searching for Non-Magnetic signatures has already yielded multiple new diamond targets
A. Diagras is next to Diavik (Canada’s largest diamond mine) and has already proven Buddy’s Theory correct with 4 kimberlite discoveries to date, with plans to drill more.
B. Timantti in Finland has 3 separate target areas and 6 targets altogether identified through non-magnetic signatures as a means to find diamonds and further excel Buddy’s theory, it is the company’s goal to drill test in 2021
As Buddy Doyle and the Arctic Star team are proven correct, it will create a new discovery process for understanding how diamonds are brought to surface in areas previous explorers cared not to look. Arctic Star has the potential to create multiple discoveries and copycat companies trying to duplicate their success.
However, there is only one Buddy Doyle and Roy Spencer, which is why Arctic Star is the one Diamond Exploration Company every investor should be aware of.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 7:29 PM on Sunday, May 2nd, 2021
Arctic Star $ADD $ASDZF Is exploring for diamonds at its Diagras Property, NWT and are using non-traditional methods to identify Kimberlites they believe host economic diamond potential.
Early success through drilling to date suggests they may have indeed made a discovery at time when very few peers exist while demand for diamonds is increasing. This success supports the overall exploration concept and indicates Arctic may be on to a new method of identifying diamonds.
If you are going to explore for diamonds, you need to look where other mines are with the right geology; and this is where Buddy Doyle comes in to play for Arctic. Buddy made a major discovery in the same area with Rio Tinto and the Diavik mine ( produced over 100 million carats since 2003) and is currently guiding the exploration drilling targeting Non-Magnetics to identify Kimberlite; which Arctic is now 3 for 3 in identifying.
The exploration success Arctic is encountering couldn’t be happening at a better time as the market appears to be waking up to the incredible opportunity Arctic offers. Have a listen and discover why Arctic Star is the next SmallCap discovery.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 1:33 PM on Friday, April 16th, 2021
New Kimberlite discovered, named the Birch Kimberlite
Discovered by targeting an EM and gravity anomaly
Proof of exploration concept, company confident of more discoveries
The Birch Kimberlite is situated between Ekati and Diavik, both operating diamond mines.
Arctic Star Exploration Corp.(“Arctic Star” or the “Company”) (TSXV:ADD) (Frankfurt:82A2) (WKN:A2DFY5) (OTC:ASDZF) is pleased to announce that it has made a new discovery on the Diagras project in the Lac de Gras kimberlite field, Northwest Territory. 380km north of Yellowknife. The discovery has been named the Birch Kimberlite.
It was discovered by drilling a vertical hole into a EM and gravity anomaly. The anomaly also occupies a distinct gap in an otherwise continuous Mackenzie diabase dyke in the magnetic data.
Kimberlite was discovered after drilling 28m through 11m of water and 17m of overburden (glacial till). The drill exited the kimberlite at 71m. A second hole from the same drill setup is underway to obtain more kimberlite for caustic fusion.
The drill collar is 220m SE of the known Black Spruce kimberlite discovered in the 1990s. The Black Spruce kimberlite was discovered by drilling a discrete magnetic low. In contrast, the Birch kimberlite has no magnetic signature.
Buddy Doyle VP Exploration of Arctic said, “We are all elated to strike kimberlite so early in our 2021 exploration program. It proves our exploration concept, we expect more discoveries as we proceed.”
Mr. Doyle continued, “After completing the current drill hole we will move from the Birch discovery to test other similar targets. The priority is to make as many discoveries as we can before the ice melts. Material from each discovery will be sent for caustic fusion. We will return to those kimberlites with the highest micro-diamond counts and give them further attention.”
The Diagras project is a Joint Venture with Margaret Lake Diamonds Inc. Arctic is the manager and operator of this joint venture.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 8:52 AM on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021
Arctic Star Exploration Corp. (“Arctic Star” or the “Company”) (TSXV:ADD) (Frankfurt:82A2) (WKN:A2DFY5) (OTC:ASDZF) is pleased to announce drilling has commenced on the Diagras diamond project located in the diamond corridor of the prolific Lac de Gras kimberlite field, 22km NNE of the Diavik diamond mine & 36km east of the Ekati diamond mine in NWT Canada. Arctic Star’s Diagras project contains 23 kimberlites previously discovered by DeBeers.
Highlights
$2 Million Financing Completed for Drilling
Arctic Assumes Operator of JV
Diamond Drilling 10-15 Targets
Project Management
The Diagras diamond project, originally a 60/40 joint venture between Margaret Lake Resources Inc. (TSXV: DIA) and Arctic Star (TSXV: ADD) respectfully. Margaret Lake has recently undergone management changes and has shifted its focus elsewhere. In 2019 Margaret Lake informed Arctic Star that it had no exploration plans for Diagras.
The joint venture agreement allows for Arctic Star to take over management in such a situation by proposing and excuting a plan and budget. Arctic Star proposed a $2,100,000 budget for the Diagras project 2021. Margaret Lake has informed Arctic Star that it will not to participate. In such a case the JV agreement has a dilution formula. At the time Arctic Star expends the proposed 2021 budget the ownership will change to approximately 77% Arctic Star and 23% Margaret Lake. Arctic Star will continue as the operator. If Margaret Lake dilutes below 10% in the future, the company’s interest converts to a 1.5% GOR.
Diamond Drill Program Commences
Arctic Star has commissioned Aurora Geoscience to be the operator of the Diagras drilling and geophysics program. Aurora is a Yellowknife based group and is able to operate without travel restrictions in the northwest territories. David Kelsch will be responsible for the day to day management of Aurora. David has over 30 years experience predominantly in diamond exploration and has been involved in a number of discoveries. David has been managing the geophysical programs that led to the development of the drill targets on the Diagras property over the past years.
David has been working closely with Buddy Doyle, our exploration manager.
Any Kimberlite intercepted in the drill program will be flown to Yellowknife for detailed logging and sampling by Aurora staff who are familiar with kimberlites. Aurora manged exploration progams for Mountian Province and Dominion diamonds and have been in diamond exploration in the Territories since the 1990’s. Samples will be sent to Chuck Fipke’s lab, CF laboratories of Kelowna, where they will be reviewed by Kelsch and Doyle prior to undergoing analysis for diamonds for Caustic Fusion.
Qualified Person
The Qualified Person for this news release is Buddy Doyle, AUSIMM, a Geologist of over 30 years’ experience in diamond exploration, discovery, and evaluation. A Qualified Person under the provisions of National Instrument 43-101.
About Arctic Star
Arctic Star has commenced exploration in Lac de Gras NWT on its Diagras Diamond Project next to the producing Diavik & Ekati diamond mines. The Company also owns 100% of the Timantti Diamond Project including a 243 Ha Exploration Permit and a 193,700 Ha Exploration Reservation near the town of Kuusamo, in Finland. The project is located approximately 550km SW of the operating Grib Diamond Mine in Russia. The Company also controls drill ready diamond exploration properties in Nunavut (Stein).
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ARCTIC STAR EXPLORATION CORP.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 2:10 PM on Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
Arctic Star Announces Further Increase To Non-Brokered Private Placement
Amended the terms of its previously announced financing described in its press releases of Feb. 2, 2021, Feb. 4, 2021, and Feb. 19, 2021
Issue up to 26 million units for gross proceeds of up to $1.3-million.
Arctic Star Exploration Corp. has amended the terms of its previously announced financing described in its press releases of Feb. 2, 2021, Feb. 4, 2021, and Feb. 19, 2021. The company previously disclosed that it would issue up to 17 million units at a price of five cents per unit for gross proceeds of $850,000. Due to further increased demand, the company has increased the number of units to be issued, such that it will issue up to 26 million units for gross proceeds of up to $1.3-million.
Each unit will comprise one common share in the capital of the company and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional share in the capital of the company for a period of 24 months from the closing date at an exercise price of 10 cents.
All securities will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date. The private placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.
The company intends to use the proceeds from the private placement for exploration on the Diagras diamond project and for general working capital.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 10:32 AM on Monday, February 8th, 2021
The 3 Reasons Why Arctic Star Is A World Class, Small Cap Diamond Explorer
Arctic Star Exploration (ADD:TSXV / ASDZF:OTCQB / 82A1.F:FRA) is in the diamond finding business.
The Company owns 100% of its flagship Timantti Diamond Project in Finland, where Arctic Star has discovered three diamondiferous kimberlites that may represent the first finds in a large kimberlite field. If you don’t know what a kimberlite is, keep drilling down and see below because this is truly exciting.
The project is located on the same geological belt as the Grib Diamond Mine in Russia, just 450 kms away. The Grib mine is one of the largest diamond mines in the world and was discovered by a team led by Arctic Star Director Roy Spencer. Keep drilling down to see more about him.
For those investors who have a little more experience and find themselves asking Why Finland? You should know that Finland was ranked as the World’s #2 mining jurisdiction in the world by the Fraser Institute 2020. In addition to its flagship project in Finland, the Company also controls diamond exploration properties in Nunavut (Stein) and the Northwest Territories of Canada (Diagras and Redemption).
But the real secret of Arctic Star is that it has tremendous potential to revolutionize the way in which Diamonds are discovered – and become a pioneer in the exploration industry – by finding diamonds in a place where no previous explorer has thought to do so. More than just a wild theory, Arctic Star has the team to back it up.
Here are the 3 things you need to know
1. World Class Diamond Finders
Arctic Star exploration has a highly experienced diamond exploration team previously responsible for numerous world class diamond mine discoveries. The team is led by Buddy Doyle who originally discovered Diavik Mine, Canada’s largest diamond mine in terms of carat production. Diavik’s exceptional grades make it one of the most valuable diamond mines in the world. Diavik is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, where Arctic Star has 2 of their diamond properties.
Few geologists have seen 2 projects from discovery through to decision to mine. Mr. Doyle is recognized by his peers in the exploration industry as an authority on diamond exploration and kimberlite geology, and has authored/co-authored numerous papers on these subjects. He was awarded the 2007 Hugo Dummitt Award for excellence in Diamond exploration.
Roy Spencer – If that wasn’t enough, the geologist who discovered the multi-billion-dollar Grib Diamond Mine in Russia (see above). which is just 450 KMs away from Arctic Star’s project in Finland, has now joined Arctic’s Board of Directors! Clearly, the Arctic Star team has the credibility necessary to put forth a new thesis on how to find diamonds.
2. Brand New Exploration Model To Find Diamonds
In order to find diamonds, you need to first find Kimberlites. What are Kimberlites? Essentially, they are the rocks which contain diamonds. These kimberlite rocks are found underground in vertical structures known as kimberlite pipes. To illustrate in simple terms, see this basic image of a kimberlite pipe with kimberlite rocks inside of it.
Kimberlite pipes are the biggest source of diamonds today. When exploration companies go looking for kimberlites, the industry standard for finding them is to look for magnetic signatures. This is done by taking a magnetic survey from the air and/or ground. with a device called a magnetometer. Now, most of you won’t understand what you are looking at – but here is an example of one of the company’s magnetic surveys on its Canadian Diagras property.
The most important thing to understand is that the industry looks for magnetic signatures ….. but Buddy Doyle and the accomplished Arctic Star team have developed a NON MAGNETIC THESIS. They believe they will find economic diamonds by locating Kimberlite that do not have a magnetic signature where previous explores sought not to look. Arctic in a sense is exploring for diamonds the opposite way the industry traditionally does. Arctic acquired property big mining company’s dropped, because they looked at them one way. Arctic is looking differently and success is occurring quickly for this small, yet accomplished exploration outfit. There are already multiple drill ready targets in 2 countries using this new way of looking for diamonds.
Arctic offers multiple opportunities in 2 countries to turn the Diamond Industry on notice with a discovery.
3. Arctic Star Has Two Diamond Projects Ready To Verify Its Non-Magnetic Theory
Arctic has 2 diamond projects on which to verify its theory: Diagras in Northwest Territories of Canada and Timantti in Finland, where early exploration searching for Non-Magnetic signatures has already yielded multiple new diamond target
A. Diagras is next to Diavik (Canada’s largest diamond mine) and is drill ready to prove Buddy’s theory. Arctic has plans to drill in 2021
B. Timantti in Finland has 3 separate target areas and 6 targets altogether identified through non-magnetic signatures as a means to find diamonds and further excel Buddy’s theory, it is the company’s goal to drill test in 2021
If Buddy Doyle and the Arctic Star team are correct it will create a new discovery process for understanding how diamonds are brought to surface in areas previous explorers cared not to look. Arctic Star has the potential to create multiple discoveries and copycat companies trying to duplicate their success.
However, there is only one Buddy Doyle and Roy Spencer, which is why Arctic Star is the one Diamond Exploration Company every investor should be aware of.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 12:42 PM on Friday, December 11th, 2020
SPONSOR: Arctic Star Exploration is currently exploiting the Diagras Diamond Property, NWT. Adjoined by both Diavik and Ekati Mines, Arctic has combined known data on Diagras with modern Gravity and EM geophysical survey techniques to delineate viable Kimberlite targets. Arctic Star is currently preparing a drill program. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
We have seen how the industry has undergone significant changes over the past 20 years and how smaller companies have emerged to play an increasingly important role in supplying rough diamonds to the world.
These changes have come about at least partly due to the discovery of diamonds in locations outside of Southern Africa, which was where the vast majority of diamonds had been mined for nearly a century. South Africa is also where De Beers established its dominance of the industry. The discovery of diamonds elsewhere in the world has therefore been a key factor in the diamond giant’s gradual decline in market share.
According to Kimberley Process rough diamond statistics, 22 countries produced rough diamonds in 2014. The top six producing countries accounted for over 90% of production by value. A closer analysis of global diamond mining is key to learning more about the industry’s recent evolution, and to developing an image of where it might be heading in the future.
To start, I will focus on the top six producing nations, each of whose policies and methods of distribution shape the industry.
Russia
Diamonds were first discovered in Russia in the mid 1950s in the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic in northeastern Siberia. Interestingly, the search for diamonds in Russia, which began in 1947 following the end of World War Two, was not initiated for financial gain. Stalin understood that in order to rebuild the shattered Soviet Union after the war, he would need access to a large supply of industrial diamonds. These diamonds were required for a number of mechanical operations such as drilling, abrasive grit, precision cutting and other digging processes. However, at the time, De Beers controlled the sale of rough diamonds and Stalin knew that this left him precariously dependent.
Russian geologists had recognized as early as the 1930s that parts of Siberia exhibited very similar geological characteristics to the kimberlite-rich regions of South Africa. Teams of geologists were dispatched to Siberia and these expeditions did not disappoint. In 1955, the Mirny (Mir) kimberlite was discovered and mining commenced in 1957.
The purpose of searching for diamonds in Russia was to develop a supply of industrial stones for tools and equipment. Thus, when Mir produced a vast supply of gem quality stones, the state found itself in the grips of an unexpected predicament. By the mid 1960s, Russia had begun selling its gem diamond production to De Beers, a relationship that would remain intact for more than 40 years.
Today Russia maintains more than a dozen active open-pit diamond mines and is the world’s number one producer of rough diamonds by value and by carat volume. Russia’s known diamond reserves have long been shrouded in mystery, but according to state-owned miner ALROSA, which controls the vast majority of diamond mining in the country, its reserves exceed one billion carats. This should allow the country to maintain its position as a dominant player in the industry for several decades to come.
Botswana
Botswana officially gained independence from the UK on September 30, 1966. The country’s first kimberlite was identified just five months later. This initial discovery was followed shortly by numerous others which quickly established the nation as a diamond powerhouse and helped to propel its population out of crushing poverty.
Botswanan diamonds truly took to the skies when it was determined that the AK1 mine, now Orapa, could be seen from the sky and was frequently used as a landmark by South African pilots navigating their way to Europe.
Today, Botswana ranks second only to Russia in rough diamond production by value, driven primarily by the two richest mines in the world – Orapa and Jwaneng. However, it is the country’s recent efforts to leverage its diamond resources to further benefit its people that has earned the attention of the diamond world.
In 2011, the Botswanan government and De Beers announced a landmark deal that would eventually see De Beers’ entire sorting and sales operations moved from London to Gaborone – the capital of Botswana. Also as part of the deal, the government was given the opportunity to market a portion of local production through its own subsidiary company, now known as Okavango Diamond Company. In this way, Botswana has a solid mechanism for understanding the change in market prices for its resources.
By all accounts, Botswana’s diamond revenues have been put to very good use in helping lift the country out of poverty. In the late 1960s, Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the world with a GDP per capita of around $70. Today it ranks among the top African countries for per capita GDP, and consistently ranks near the top among Africa countries in terms of literacy, education, health care and low-levels of government corruption.
The Botswanan government has embarked on a bold experiment to extract maximum benefit from its natural resources by establishing Botswana as a diamond trading and manufacturing hub, in order to achieve stability for after its resources are depleted. Other nations are taking notice, and the Botswana model may be looked to in the future more and more frequently.
Canada
Though Canada’s history as a diamond-producing nation is short, it is now the world’s third largest producer by value. In fact, diamond deposits have been found scattered across the country’s vast expanses, and it offers much promise for continued exploration and development. Two large diamond projects are set to go into production as soon as late 2016 and early 2017 – the Renard and Gahcho Que projects.
Diamonds were first discovered in Canada in the early 1990s by two geologists who resisted the conventional wisdom that local geology would not support a diamond find. The discovery of the Ekati Diamond Mine triggered one of the most intense prospecting rushes in North American history, bringing teams from all over the world to scour the area. Geologists were literally staking their claims with wooden posts, so much so that local lumber suppliers could not keep up with the demand for wood.
It is said that the team of geologists who discovered the Diavik Diamond Mine initially planned to stake out a different location, but had to “settle” for what they were given because the person ahead of them in line at the mineral claims office took the area they were first interested in.
Most of Canada’s diamond projects are clustered in the far reaches of the northern Arctic region known locally as the Barren Lands. These barely hospitable tundra experience winter temperatures that average -35 degrees Celsius, often dipping below -50. This makes mining a challenge and the mining camps in these regions function more like enclosed cities, almost entirely sheltered from the harsh weather outside.
This region is also known for having been carved from the glacial movements of the last ice age. There are so many lakes in the area, numbering in the tens of thousands, that many remain unnamed to this day. In fact, some of the country’s most prolific diamond deposits have been found located beneath lakes. The Diavik Diamond Mine, located underneath 56 meters of water in Lac De Gras, necessitated the construction of a massive retaining wall and the removal of millions of liters of water to access the high-value kimberlite underneath the lake-bed.
Angola
Diamonds were first discovered in Angola’s Lunda Norte province near the border with Zaire in 1913. Angola is rich in both kimberlite deposits and alluvial diamonds washed out from their kimberlite hosts by ancient river systems.
The country has suffered from political instability for decades after gaining independence from Portugal in 1975. Shortly afterwards gaining independence, a civil war erupted that would last more than 25 years. As a result, large mining companies have been somewhat reluctant to invest in mining in Angola, and the country is believed to possess significant diamond resources that remain undiscovered.
In 2011, Angola introduced new legislation aimed at attracting foreign investment into its diamonds sector to help boost production. The plan has shown some early results. In 2015, ALROSA announced that it would invest $1.2 billion into the country to further develop producing assets and to increase exploration work in the country.
Keeping pace with the recent string of large diamond discoveries around the world, Australia-based Lucapa Diamonds announced in February that it had unearthed the 27th largest diamond ever from its Lulu mine in Angola. The gem was sold recently for $16 million.
South Africa
For decades South Africa was the epicenter of diamond mining. The discovery of the Eureka Diamond in 1866 by a young farmer named Erasmus Jacobs set off a prospecting rush unparalleled at that time. In a few short years, numerous alluvial and kimberlite operations were established. This new supply helped to replace the dwindling supplies from Brazil and India, and make diamonds accessible to vastly more people than ever before.
While South Africa still has more than ten producing diamond mines, its importance in the diamond world is slowly declining. Many mines have reached the end of their lifecycle and have moved to underground mining, which is often slow and more expensive than mining in an open pit. Although South Africa is still the fifth largest producer of diamonds in the world, with value in excess of $1 billion annually, in the absence of a major new mine discovery its importance will decline significantly over the coming decade.
Namibia
At number six in the diamond producing nations rankings, Namibia boasts the highest value per carat diamonds in the world. Namibian diamonds are mostly found in the ocean, along the country’s 1,570 kilometer coastline. Over millions of years, the area became a drainage basin covering the Kaapvaal Craton, which emptied water into the Atlantic Ocean. This water eroded diamond-bearing kimberlites and transported diamonds into the ocean. Over time, ocean currents churned up the area and deposited the diamonds in seabed trap sites as well as inland along the coast.
Because these diamonds travelled huge distances, often in rough conditions, only the strongest diamonds survived the journey. As a result, Namibian diamonds have exhibit the highest proportion of gem quality stones anywhere in the world, and this results in a very high average value per carat. These diamonds are mined mostly from boats and barges that drill and extract material from the seabed through long hoses.
Diamond production by country has changed significantly in recent years and this has had important implications on the industry and the power of companies within it. Next week I will look at some of the smaller producing nations, some of which are on the rise while others are in decline.
The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity. No one should act upon any opinion or information in this website without consulting a professional qualified adviser.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 10:20 AM on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020
The 3 Reasons Why Arctic Star Is A World Class, Small Cap Diamond Explorer
Arctic Star Exploration (ADD:TSXV / ASDZF:OTCQB / 82A1.F:FRA) is in the diamond finding business.
The Company owns 100% of its flagship Timantti Diamond Project in Finland, where Arctic Star has discovered three diamondiferous kimberlites that may represent the first finds in a large kimberlite field. If you don’t know what a kimberlite is, keep drilling down and see below because this is truly exciting.
The project is located on the same geological belt as the Grib Diamond Mine in Russia, just 450 kms away. The Grib mine is one of the largest diamond mines in the world and was discovered by a team led by Arctic Star Director Roy Spencer. Keep drilling down to see more about him.
For those investors who have a little more experience and find themselves asking Why Finland? You should know that Finland was ranked as the World’s #2 mining jurisdiction in the world by the Fraser Institute 2020. In addition to its flagship project in Finland, the Company also controls diamond exploration properties in Nunavut (Stein) and the Northwest Territories of Canada (Diagras and Redemption).
But the real secret of Arctic Star is that it has tremendous potential to revolutionize the way in which Diamonds are discovered – and become a pioneer in the exploration industry – by finding diamonds in a place where no previous explorer has thought to do so. More than just a wild theory, Arctic Star has the team to back it up.
Here are the 3 things you need to know
1. World Class Diamond Finders
Arctic Star exploration has a highly experienced diamond exploration team previously responsible for numerous world class diamond mine discoveries. The team is led by Buddy Doyle who originally discovered Diavik Mine, Canada’s largest diamond mine in terms of carat production. Diavik’s exceptional grades make it one of the most valuable diamond mines in the world. Diavik is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, where Arctic Star has 2 of their diamond properties.
Few geologists have seen 2 projects from discovery through to decision to mine. Mr. Doyle is recognized by his peers in the exploration industry as an authority on diamond exploration and kimberlite geology, and has authored/co-authored numerous papers on these subjects. He was awarded the 2007 Hugo Dummitt Award for excellence in Diamond exploration.
Roy Spencer – If that wasn’t enough, the geologist who discovered the multi-billion-dollar Grib Diamond Mine in Russia (see above). which is just 450 KMs away from Arctic Star’s project in Finland, has now joined Arctic’s Board of Directors! Clearly, the Arctic Star team has the credibility necessary to put forth a new thesis on how to find diamonds.
2. Brand New Exploration Model To Find Diamonds
In order to find diamonds, you need to first find Kimberlites. What are Kimberlites? Essentially, they are the rocks which contain diamonds. These kimberlite rocks are found underground in vertical structures known as kimberlite pipes. To illustrate in simple terms, see this basic image of a kimberlite pipe with kimberlite rocks inside of it.
Kimberlite pipes are the biggest source of diamonds today. When exploration companies go looking for kimberlites, the industry standard for finding them is to look for magnetic signatures. This is done by taking a magnetic survey from the air and/or ground. with a device called a magnetometer. Now, most of you won’t understand what you are looking at – but here is an example of one of the company’s magnetic surveys on its Canadian Diagras property.
The most important thing to understand is that the industry looks for magnetic signatures ….. but Buddy Doyle and the accomplished Arctic Star team have developed a NON MAGNETIC THESIS. They believe they will find economic diamonds by locating Kimberlite that do not have a magnetic signature where previous explores sought not to look. Arctic in a sense is exploring for diamonds the opposite way the industry traditionally does. Arctic acquired property big mining company’s dropped, because they looked at them one way. Arctic is looking differently and success is occurring quickly for this small, yet accomplished exploration outfit. There are already multiple drill ready targets in 2 countries using this new way of looking for diamonds.
Arctic offers multiple opportunities in 2 countries to turn the Diamond Industry on notice with a discovery.
3. Arctic Star Has Two Diamond Projects Ready To Verify Its Non-Magnetic Theory
Arctic has 2 diamond projects on which to verify its theory: Diagras in Northwest Territories of Canada and Timantti in Finland, where early exploration searching for Non-Magnetic signatures has already yielded multiple new diamond target
A. Diagras is next to Diavik (Canada’s largest diamond mine) and is drill ready to prove Buddy’s theory. Arctic has plans to drill in 2020
B. Timantti in Finland has 3 separate target areas and 6 targets altogether identified through non-magnetic signatures as a means to find diamonds and further excel Buddy’s theory, it is the company’s goal to drill test in 2020
If Buddy Doyle and the Arctic Star team are correct it will create a new discovery process for understanding how diamonds are brought to surface in areas previous explorers cared not to look. Arctic Star has the potential to create multiple discoveries and copycat companies trying to duplicate their success.
However, there is only one Buddy Doyle and Roy Spencer, which is why Arctic Star is the one Diamond Exploration Company every investor should be aware of.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 11:46 AM on Friday, November 20th, 2020
SPONSOR: Arctic Star Exploration is currently exploiting the Diagras Diamond Property, NWT. Adjoined by both Diavik and Ekati Mines, Arctic has combined known data on Diagras with modern Gravity and EM geophysical survey techniques to delineate viable Kimberlite targets. Arctic Star is currently preparing a drill program. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Iconic Tiffany & Co. is among the most recognizable brand names in the world and one of the most valuable retail jewelry companies. A 2015 brand survey ranked it as the 66th most valuable brand name in the world, with a brand value in excess of $6 billion. Surprisingly, however, the company did not get its start in jewelry nor was it even called Tiffany & Co. The company began operating in 1837 as Tiffany & Young, a stationary and fancy goods emporium in lower Manhattan founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young. It wasn’t until Charles Tiffany took control of the company in 1853 that he shortened the name to Tiffany & Company, and established the firm’s emphasis on diamond jewelry.
Charles Tiffany was born in 1812 in Killingly, Connecticut. At the age of 15, he began to manage a small general store started by his father. At the age of 25, with a loan of $1,000 he received from his father, he opened a store with his friend John Young, whose sister he was dating and would later marry. The pair developed a reputation for selling only the finest quality goods and specialized in Bohemian glass and porcelain. The company was changed to Tiffany, Young & Ellis in 1941 after they brought on a partner, J.L. Ellis. Unlike any other store in the 1930s, Tiffany would clearly mark a price on every item to avoid haggling over prices and give birth to the ‘price tag.’ Legend has it that after their first three days in business, the store had brought in just $4.94 in sales.
But the partners persevered, and by 1845 they would establish the first-ever mail order catalog in the United States, known as the “blue book.” Charles Tiffany would establish the color palate for his catalogue in the familiar Tiffany blue we know today. He would soon extend the same color scheme to all Tiffany marketing and packaging materials, later culminating in the immortal Tiffany Blue Box. Some believe that the robin-egg blue color was chosen because of the popularity of the turquoise gemstone as a wedding day memento in that era. Tiffany blue is now one of the very few trademarked colors in the world.
By 1848, the company would begin focusing more on jewelry, most of which was imported from Europe. John Young would have the good favor of being in Paris on a buying trip in 1848 at the height of France’s second revolution. Many wealthy nobles, who were desperate to flee Paris, sold their diamonds to him in large quantities at heavily discounted prices. He would return with the gems to America, and the company would shift its interests to diamonds and precious jewelry. Two years later, they would open a location in Paris at 79 Rue de Richelieu. Its presence in Paris allowed the firm to keep abreast of the latest trends from Europe. In 1851, after observing the popularity of silver jewelry in England, Charles Tiffany would adopt the standards of English silver, coining the term ‘sterling silver’ in the United States.
After buying control of the company in 1953, Tiffany would establish himself as one of the world’s pre-eminent jewelers. But as the American Civil War became a reality in the early 1860s, Tiffany recognized the demand for expensive jewelry was likely to wane. He shifted his focus towards supplying swords, medals and light armor for the war. His role as a designer and supplier of Civil War medals would not be forgotten after the war’s end. In 1877, he was commissioned to design a medal for the New York Police Department. Their “NY” logo design, would become immortalized when the New York Yankees Baseball team adopted it as their logo in 1909, and today it is one of the most valuable sports brands in the world. The company would later be asked by the US Navy to design a medal for a sailor or Marine who “in action involving actual conflict with the enemy, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty without detriment to his mission.” The design would become known as the Tiffany Cross Medal of Honor, and it has been awarded to 22 people.
The end of the war also permitted Charles Tiffany’s focus on diamonds to begin anew. By the 1870s, Tiffany would be known as the King of Diamonds, and his influence and buying power continued to grow. His innovative work won acclaim at international expositions (Paris 1878, 1884, 1889, 1900; Chicago 1893). In 1867, Tiffany & Co. won the Award of Merit at the Paris Exposition Universelle, the first time an American company had been so honored by a European jury.
In 1879, Tiffany acquired a 287-carat yellow diamond mined in South Africa two years earlier. He would entrust its cutting to a 23-year old gemologist who had just joined the company. The now famous Tiffany Yellow is an 82-facet cushion shape weighing 128.54 carats. In over 100 years, the stone is only known to have been worn by two women: Mrs. Sheldon Whitehouse at the 1957 Tiffany Ball and Aubrey Hepburn in 1961 in a publicity photo for the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
In 1886, frustrated by ring settings that covered all but the table of a diamond, Charles Tiffany himself designed a new clasp to allow more of each diamond’s brilliance to be seen. What soon became known as the Tiffany Setting, was a six-claw setting with minimal use of metal that would expose more of the diamond. It has been called the most “brilliant ring ever” and is now a universal term to describe any diamond mounted in a claw setting, Tiffany or not.
In 1887, Charles Tiffany successfully purchased about one third of the French crown jewels when they were sold off after the collapse of the Second French Empire. One of his buyers, Thomas Banks, was coincidentally in Paris at the time, and Tiffany became the single largest buyer during the sale, which further raised his prominence and influence among wealthy European society. He purchased several famous stones, including some depicted in artwork having been worn by Queen Elizabeth I and Napoleon.
By the time of his death in 1902 at the age of 90, Charles Tiffany had transformed a $1,000 investment into a $35 million dollar fortune. At the time, that represented 1/616th of the entire United States GNP.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 11:49 AM on Monday, November 16th, 2020
SPONSOR: Arctic Star Exploration is currently exploiting the Diagras Diamond Property, NWT. Adjoined by both Diavik and Ekati Mines, Arctic has combined known data on Diagras with modern Gravity and EM geophysical survey techniques to delineate viable Kimberlite targets. Arctic Star is currently preparing a drill program. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Another week, another huge diamond discovered in Botswana. But “huge” might do this stone a disservice, as it’s actually one of the five largest ever unearthed.
Canadian miner Lucara Diamond Corp has just announced the recovery of a 998-carat high white diamond at its Karowe mine in the southern African nation. The diamond is clivage, meaning it will have to be broken down before it can be processed into polished stones.
Lucara found the massive stone—which measures 2.6 inches x 1.9 inches x 1.8 inches—from direct milling of ore sourced from the south lobe of the mine, according to a press release. It’s just the latest noteworthy diamond discovery at the mine this year. Just in 2020 alone, Karowe has produced 31 diamonds greater than 100 carats, of which 10 are greater than 200 carats and two are greater than 500 carats. The other 500-plus carat stone is a 549-carat diamond named Sethynya that Lucara recently sold to Louis Vuitton.
Even before these recent discoveries, Karowe already had a reputation of producing giant stones. In 2015, the company found a 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona which sold for $53 million, and shortly after that a 813-carat Constellation stone that went for $63 million, according to Bloomberg. And last year, the Lucara found a 1,758-carat—the second biggest on the planet—which it also sold to Louis Vuitton in February of this year.
“Lucara is extremely pleased with the continued recovery of large high-quality diamonds from the South Lobe of the Karowe mine,” CEO Eira Thomas said in a statement. “To recover two 500-plus carat diamonds in 10 months along with the many other high-quality diamonds across all the size ranges is a testament to the unique aspect of the resource at Karowe and the mine’s ability to recover these large and rare diamonds.”
It remains to be seen what will happen to the diamond now. Lucara did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Robb Report, but did say in the press release that it is evaluating potential steps forward with its cutting and polishing partner, HB Antwerp.