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Canadian Diamonds in the House
Posted by cissy | Posted in Diamond Advice, Weird Diamond News | Posted on 08-04-2009
De Beers Canada very recently bestowed upon Queen’s Park (also known as the Government of Ontario, Canada) the gift of an awesome a pair of diamonds obtained from its own Ontarian Victor Diamond Mine. Each diamond was handpicked by Ontario’s chief gemologist, Ron Gashinski. The carefully selected diamonds, have been set in the symbolically authoritative gilded copper mace that is brought into the Legislature each day.
At the beginning of each legislative session, the sergeant-at-arms, bearing the mace on his right shoulder, leads the Speaker of the House into the chamber, then sets it down on the clerk‘s table after the Speaker is seated.
According to Speaker Steve Peters, what makes it particularly special, is the fact that it is “probably the first time diamonds from a Canadian mine have been incorporated into the mace.“ Most of us will agree that Canada is not the first country that usually comes to mind when diamond mining is thought of. The truth of the matter is this: The Victor Mine is only the second mine owned by De Beers that is located beyond the continent of Africa.
Actually, De Beers Canada had given the Canadian government three diamonds to use. However, only two were selected for the mace, and the third will go on display at one of Ontario’s local exhibits; each of the diamonds weighing between two and four carats. Hmm… Let’s see…for us diamond lovers here… that’s at least three engagement rings’ worth!
Speaker of the House, Premier Dalton McGuinty further explains the symbolism, “The rough diamond signifies Ontario’s natural riches and leads to the polished stone reminding us what our great province is capable of.”
Nice sentiment. Very nice one indeed.
Interested in Canadian Diamonds, they are also conflict-free diamonds, visit DanforthDiamond.com
