With Harry Winston purchase Aber moves downstream: a Canadian junior mining company establishes for itself a prominent position in the market by creating downstream alliances with major high-end retailers.

Israel Diamonds, June, 2004

Following De Beers' lead with its strategic partnership with LVMH on a chain of branded luxury jewelry stores launched two years ago, diamond mining companies are increasingly looking for alliances with major luxury retailers to gain sales, marketing and branding leverage over their competitors--as well as access to the retail and consumer jewelry markets that were not traditionally accessible to them.

Since De Beers made the move downstream, several other diamond mining companies have been looking to follow suit. For instance, both BHP-Billiton and Alrosa have publicly stressed their desire to move downstream. The latest, and perhaps most creative and aggressive player in this arena is Aber Diamond Corp. of Toronto, Canada. Aber is a junior partner in Canada's...