The high quality of diamonds found in the NWT makes them well suited for use in jewellery. The value of a rough diamond may increase as much as two and a half times from the time it is taken from the ground to the time it is sold as jewellery. Adding value to rough diamonds means that more people and businesses can benefit from diamond mining. Sorting and Valuation Diamonds are sorted a number of times for different reasons. Diamonds are sorted into different categories of size, shape and quality.
Valuation is the process used to determine how much the diamonds are worth for taxation purposes.
Diamonds are sorted by the mine to determine the value of the mine s production. Sorting for valuation is required by the Canadian government for tax and royalty purposes. The first diamond sorting and valuation facility opened in Yellowknife in early 1999. People working in sorting and valuation include rough diamond sorters and rough diamond valuators. In turn, the CSO sells the diamonds to traders and manufacturers.