Burgundy Diamond Mines will turn over a portion of fancy-yellow diamonds from its Ekati mine in Canada into a partnership that will see them manufactured, set into jewelry and sold at leading maisons.
Canada-based Crossworks Manufacturing will be responsible for cutting and polishing a selection of stones, which diamond supplier André Messika will offer exclusively to its network of jewelry stores, Burgundy said last week. A certificate of origin from Burgundy denoting the diamond’s provenance will accompany each piece.
Additionally, Sarine’s Diamond Journey will track every diamond in the collection from rough to polished, Burgundy noted.
The move is not the miner’s first foray into downstream partnerships. In 2021, Burgundy inked a deal with French jeweler Bäumer Vendôme to provide it with high-quality yellow diamonds in return for a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the finished jewelry. It also signed an agreement with Australian jeweler Solid Gold Diamonds in 2022 for its colored diamonds to be used in engagement and bridal jewelry.
“We are delighted to join forces with Crossworks and Messika to manufacture and distribute our exclusive collection of fancy-yellow diamonds,” said Brad Baylis, chief financial officer at Burgundy. “With Crossworks’ exceptional manufacturing capabilities and Messika’s esteemed position in the luxury-jewelry market, we are confident these diamonds will reach their highest potential.”
Image: Diamonds from the Ekati mine. (Burgundy Diamond Mines)
