Aber Diamond Corporation

Aber Diamond Corporation is a premier specialist diamond company focusing on the mining and retail segments of the diamond industry.

Aber’s core business is maximizing the value of its rough diamonds – both the transaction price and by placing tailored parcels of rough diamonds with selected buyers who can, in turn, provide high-quality polished stones for use by our Harry Winston diamond jewelry business.

Aber’s primary source of rough diamonds is its 40% ownership of the Diavik Diamond Mine, located in Canada’s Northwest Territories, which has three of the richest diamond ore bodies in the world. Through its ownership interest, Aber controls approximately 3% of the world’s production of diamonds, by value.

Aber achieves added value from its Diavik production by sorting its rough diamonds into sales parcels that meet the specific needs of clients in the diamond capitals of Antwerp, New York, Tel Aviv and Mumbai – functions typically performed by wholesalers and brokers.

Aber’s ability to provide the rough diamonds desired by these customers earns the company a preferred position in the marketplace and facilitates the acquisition of the best stones for Harry Winston.

Drawing on the full spectrum of Aber’s resources, Harry Winston is embarking on a major growth initiative that will generate industry-leading financial performance from an expanded international network of salons and a broadened range of watches and jewelry that continues to reflect the essence of luxury synonymous with the name.

With salons currently in New York, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Bal Harbour, Honolulu, Paris, London, Geneva, Tokyo - Ginza, Tokyo – Omotesando, Osaka and Taipei, Harry Winston intends to expand its retail network, both in the US and internationally, while retaining its invaluable position as the world's premier luxury jewelry retailer.

Strategy - leveraging our strength in diamonds

Aber’s strategy is to leverage its supply of rough diamonds – and its extensive contacts and relationships throughout the industry – as a currency with which to secure a reliable supply of the largest, rarest and highest-quality polished diamonds for Harry Winston.

In addition, by participating in the production and retailing of diamonds - the ‘bookends’ of the diamond business - Aber focuses on the two most profitable segments of the business.

Demand for rough diamonds is driven by diamond jewelry, a market that amounts to almost $60 billion US at retail. While most jewelry demand originates in the United States and Japan, emerging economies in countries such as India and China are also consuming increasing quantities of diamond jewelry, pushing annual growth in demand above the consumer price index.

Demand for rough diamonds now exceeds supply, and this imbalance is expected to continue and to result in further price increases. This benefits Aber both through sales of rough diamonds and through its Harry Winston luxury jewelry brand. Reliable access to diamonds also represents a significant competitive advantage for Harry Winston.