As the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada's Northwest Territories enters the final stretch of its operational life, it continues to surprise with dazzling discoveries—none more unexpected than a vivid purple diamond recovered just weeks ago. Weighing 0.45 carats, the rare gem stands out for its striking hue, a dramatic departure from the white and occasional yellow stones Diavik is known for.
Rio Tinto, the mine’s operator, revealed the find in a social media post in late May, describing it as a “unique discovery” and “pleasant surprise.” Scientifically significant and symbolically poignant, the purple diamond serves as a brilliant reminder that nature still has secrets to share — even from a mine that has delivered more than 140 million carats since opening in 2003.
Colored diamonds make up less than 1% of Diavik’s total output. Among those, purple is the rarest hue of all.
Experts attribute the purple hue to trace hydrogen elements or distortions in the diamond’s crystal lattice— a formation anomaly caused by immense pressure and heat deep within the Earth’s mantle. These same lattice defects give purple diamonds their distinctive and elusive coloration.
Rio Tinto classified the rough purple diamond as “makeable,” indicating it has the right proportions and clarity to be cut into a single polished gem. While Rio Tinto has yet to announce the stone’s future — be it auction, private sale or museum display — the discovery has already captivated collectors and scientists alike.
This isn't the first time Diavik has delivered a showstopper in its twilight years. In April of this year, the mine revealed a massive 158.20-carat yellow diamond — one of the largest ever unearthed in Canada. That find echoed Diavik’s legendary 2018 discovery of a 552.74-carat yellow diamond, which was later cut into the 204-carat “Dancing Sun” and sold at Christie’s for nearly $5 million.
With commercial production at Diavik slated to end in early 2026, these final discoveries feel like nature’s encore — unexpected treasures from a remote sub-Arctic mine that continues to defy expectations. Harsh terrain, extreme temperatures and two decades of mining have not dulled Diavik’s capacity to astonish.
Credit: Purple diamond image via Facebook / Diavik Diamond Mine.