Consumer FAQ
No. This is a free service to consumers who purchase a Canadian diamond from a Code Signatory member.
The Code establishes a minimum auditable standard based on records and a chain of warranties required to validate a Canadian diamond claim. Retailers who are Code Signatory members abide by this Code to demonstrate to consumers their commitment to ensure the authenticity of Canadian diamond claims. The Code allows Canadian diamonds to be traced from the Canadian mine to the diamond jewellery retailer, providing consumers with a method to authenticate Canadian diamonds sold by a Code Signatory member.
The Code is administered by the Canadian Diamond Code Committee (CDCC), a self-regulatory, non-profit, volunteer body comprised of representatives from the mining, cutting and polishing, wholesale and retail sectors, gemmological laboratories, a consumer representative, Jewellers Vigilance Canada and the Canadian Jewellers Association as well as advisors from several government agencies. The CDCC is responsible for the maintenance of the Code Signatory Registry and manages consumer authentication requests and the 1-800 toll-free service. The CDCC will respond to authentication requests from consumers by obtaining required information under the Code to track the diamond from the retailer to the Canadian mine.
No. The authentication process confirms whether or not the Code has been followed. The Code lays out a minimum auditable standard for the handling, storage, packaging and marking of diamonds marketed as Canadian from the point that they are sold by a mining company. Signatory members, including mining operators, sorting and marketing facilities, traders of rough diamonds, cutters and polishers, traders of polished diamonds, jewellery manufacturers and retailers are required to meet this minimum standard, whether they are based in Canada or elsewhere. Upon receiving a request to authenticate a Canadian diamond claim along with the required information, the Code Office will confirm whether or not the necessary steps were taken to meet the required standard.
If the Canadian diamond was purchased from a Code Signatory member and we were not able to confirm origin of the diamond, the Code Office will contact the retailer for clarification as to why the Canadian diamond claim was made. It is the responsibility of the Code Signatory member to substantiate the claim of Canadian origin. The Code Office will keep you updated and informed of the outcome.
If the Canadian diamond was purchased from a non-Code Signatory member, you may want to contact the retailer for further clarification on the origin of the diamond. If you are not satisfied with the clarification, you may register a complaint with the Competition Bureau by contacting the toll-free number 1-800-348-5358 or visit www.competitionbureau.gc.ca for the complaint form.
The Code Office begins the authentication process as soon as all the required information is received from the consumer. We try to complete the process within 30 days. However, if the process takes longer, the Code Office will keep you updated and informed as to the progress.
You may call the Code Office at 1-866-399-1118 or email info@canadiandiamondcodeofconduct.ca.
Information from Natural Resources Canada
In 2019, Canada was the world's third largest producer of rough diamonds by value (12.5% of world production) and the third largest producer by volume (13.5% of world production). Canada's total primary exports of diamonds were valued at $2.21 billion in 2019.
This map of Canada shows the locations of five active diamond mines, two past-producing diamond mines and one advanced project, by province and territory. The Ekati, Diavik and Gahcho Kué mines are located about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. The Victor mine is located in northern Ontario and the Renard mine, in north-central Quebec. The past-producing Snap Lake and Jericho mines are also located in the north – Snap Lake, near the diamond mines of the Northwest Territories, and Jericho, in Nunavut about 170 kilometres north of the Diavik mine. The advanced project is the Star-Orion South project, in central Saskatchewan.
For more information on other diamond topics and issues such as lab-grown diamonds, conflict diamonds and other diamond related questions visit the following web sites:
World Diamond Council
The Kimberley Process (KP)
Natural Diamond Council
Where do Diamonds Come From?
