World map showing diamond producing countries

Coloured diamonds emerge from many of the same mines as the traditional clear diamond albeit in “boutique” volumes but there are certain countries that are renowned for their coloured diamond production. Craig Rosendorff personally travels to these locations
to handpick the gems that will be crafted into Rosendorff pieces.

Over the last 40 years Craig has also amassed a priceless private collection of coloured diamonds that are infused with his annual diamond purchases to provide the discerning buyer a “collection”
of infinite possibilities and choices.

Diamonds, be they coloured or colourless are concentrated in a select group of countries, with many of them located on the African continent. In dollar terms South Africa is the most important diamond producer in the world, famous for mining a kaleidoscope of coloured diamonds, black, brown, yellow and the colourless variety.

In dollar terms South Africa is the most important diamond producer in the world, famous for mining a kaleidoscope of coloured diamonds, black, brown, yellow and the colourless variety. They are the prime supplier of the rare blue stone and South Africa is synonymous with the De Beers Brand.

Other African countries like Angola and The Congo are also major producers. The former has been mining a variety of colours (black, olive, brown, yellow, pink etc) since 1912 and is also known for producing very large, clear colourless diamonds. The latter produces many yellow and cognac stones and their reputation for quality is highly regarded. Amongst the other African nations Sierra Leone produces excellent yellow diamonds and the Ivory Coast produces the green and yellow gems whilst Guyana, the Central African Republic, and Tanzania have their own niche markets both
in clear and coloured stones.

Moving away from the African peninsula the Argyle Diamond mine in Northern Western Australia is the largest volume mine in the world, even though it only opened in 1985. Argyle have a virtual monopoly on the world’s pink diamond market supplying 90% to 95% and  Argyle also produce brown stones (Champagne and Cognac) and the classical (clear and colourless) variety.

Other noteworthy producers include Brazil which produces a striking red diamond, Canada which supplies yellow and clear stones, the Siberian mines under Russia’s control which are renowned for the unique half pink and half brown stones
(craftsmen cut these into two separate diamonds) and the
standard clear variety.

The island of Borneo specializes in the magnificent blue and white stones. Venezuela on the South American continent produces identical stones to the Ivory Coast in Africa which strongly suggests that the two continents were once joined and China although a small producer at this time is looming as a developing player.