Once the site of a booming gold mining industry, the Yukon territories of Canada have since fallen out of prominence. As the gold mines became depleted, there was little to draw the speculator and wildcatter to these rugged climes.

Recently, however, rumors of another valuable mineral have surfaced. Yukon diamonds.

The African continent is the most often area people associated with diamond production. And with good reason. The largest and most famous diamond mines are located in South Africa, and produce a lions share of the commercial and gem grade diamonds each year.

But diamonds are not limited to Africa. Significant deposits have been found in Southern Australia, and in Eastern North America near the US/Canadian border.


Small diamond deposits have been found scattered around North America in the past few decades. These deposits often produce small stones as well. Micro or Nano diamonds are not unusual. Even in the Yukon.

So why the rumors of Yukon diamonds?

Diamonds are made from carbon deposits acted on by extreme pressure and relatively low heat. (Low from a geological perspective – Less than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.)
These conditions usually occur deep below the surface, well out of reach of most mining and prospecting technologies.
Fortunately, another geological anomaly, the kimberlite pipe. This structure is formed when molten rock is forced upwards through other rock layers, carrying mineral deposits closer to the surface. The most notable mineral found in these pipes is the diamond.

Kimberlite pipes have been discovered in the Yukon territories in the early 1990s. Since then, rumors of Yukon diamonds have abounded, and another rush looms on the horizon.

Since then, people have claimed to find diamonds of various sizes in the area, some large enough, reportedly, to be made into rings.

Unfortunately, while the pipes have been seen, large deposits of diamonds have not. As yet, no Yukon based mine has added significantly to Canada's contribution to the world wide diamond market.