The finest diamond ever found in Canada is a "breathtaking" 78 carat rock from the Ekati mine site near Yellowknife. It's been named the Ekati Spirit which represents the people of the North who live in the area."It's internally flawless and completely colourless, which is pretty rare for diamonds to begin with, but especially that size," says a BHP Billiton spokesperson. The stone is the size of the top joint of an adult thumb.
Diamonds, of course, come from deep within the earth from ancient volcanoes called kimberlite pipes. Over the last 13 years, 45 million carats have been mined at the Ekati mine.
Mine owner BHP Billiton auctioned off the rare gem at the company's diamond centre in Belgium on Valentine's Day for $2.8 million.
One wonders what the owner will do with the Ekati Spirit, how will it be cut, what piece of jewelery might be created?
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the transformation embodies its name and inspires more than a solitary wealthy owner?
See more submissions at Magpie Tales #53.
