Where to Find Diamonds in Northwest Territories: 3 Mapped Sites
Northwest Territories has 3 documented sites where diamonds have been reported, and the best-known are Parker Lake, A-154 Kimberlite Pipe, and Diavik. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Diamonds Map: Northwest Territories
All 3 diamonds sites in Northwest Territories. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Diamonds Are Found in Northwest Territories
Diamonds reach the surface in kimberlite and lamproite pipes, and glaciers dragged a scatter of them across the upper Midwest. Search directly in known pipe areas or in gravels downstream of them.
The richest reported sites in Northwest Territories: Parker Lake, A-154 Kimberlite Pipe, Diavik.
All Diamonds Sites in Northwest Territories
- Parker Lake — Other
- A-154 Kimberlite Pipe — Other
- Diavik — Other
How to Identify Diamonds
Rough diamonds look greasy rather than sparkly — a rounded, slightly oily-looking pebble with an adamantine shine no quartz can match. At hardness 10 a diamond scratches everything, including corundum. Most convincing finds are small octahedral (double-pyramid) crystals; if a clear stone scratches easily or breaks with flat cleavage faces, it is not a diamond.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find diamonds in Northwest Territories?
Northwest Territories has 3 mapped sites where diamonds have been reported. The best-known are Parker Lake, A-154 Kimberlite Pipe, and Diavik. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many diamonds sites are mapped in Northwest Territories?
We have 3 documented diamonds sites in Northwest Territories, compiled from provincial geological survey records and community submissions, reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect diamonds in Northwest Territories?
Casual hand collecting is generally allowed on unclaimed Crown land in Northwest Territories, and prohibited in parks, on active mineral claims, and on private land without permission. Always verify land status before you dig.
How do I identify diamond?
Rough diamonds look greasy rather than sparkly — a rounded, slightly oily-looking pebble with an adamantine shine no quartz can match. At hardness 10 a diamond scratches everything, including corundum. Most convincing finds are small octahedral (double-pyramid) crystals; if a clear stone scratches easily or breaks with flat cleavage faces, it is not a diamond.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
More to Find in Northwest Territories
Diamonds in Nearby Provinces
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.