Mining
The World of Coloured Diamonds
The World of Coloured Diamonds
Quality diamonds with size, brilliance, and clarity are hard to find as it is. Add in colouration, which can occur mainly because of structural anomalies in the diamond crystal or certain impurities, and that diamond is even rarer.
It turns out the vast majority of diamonds (98.1%) are classified as Type 1 and have nitrogen as an impurity. This can make them white, yellow or brown in colour. The rest are classified as Type 2, and these make up the category of “more desired” coloured diamonds.
Structural anomalies can make these diamonds yellow, brown, orange, pink, red, or purple in colour. A small amount instead have boron as an impurity, which can make the diamonds blue or grey. Green diamonds can also occur if a diamond of another colour is exposed to radiation in a certain way.
Many hard assets investors consider things such as rare coins, paintings, or coloured diamonds as another way to preserve wealth. The rarity and uniqueness of these assets make them something special. While not fungible or a medium of exchange like something such as pure gold or silver, they do tend to hold their value over time. Things such as coloured diamonds also are extremely portable, which gives them a the advantage of wealth mobility over cash or other bullion.
Original graphic from: Excalibur Royale
Mining
An Investor’s Guide to Copper in 3 Charts
Explore three key insights into the future of the copper market, from soaring demand to potential supply constraints.
An Investor’s Guide to Copper
Copper is the world’s third-most utilized industrial metal and the linchpin of many clean energy technologies. It forms the vital connections in our electricity networks, grid storage systems, and electric vehicles.
In this graphic, sponsored by iShares, we dig into the forces that are set to shape the future of the copper landscape.
How Much Copper Do We Need?
Copper is poised to experience a remarkable 54% surge in demand from 2022 to 2050.
Here’s a breakdown of the expected demand for copper across clean energy technologies.
| Technology | 2022 (kt) | 2050P (kt) |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity networks | 4364 | 8862 |
| Other low emissions power generation | 93.7 | 142.2 |
| Solar PV | 756.8 | 1879.8 |
| Grid battery storage | 24.6 | 665.2 |
| Wind | 453.5 | 1303.3 |
| Hydrogen technologies | - | 0.22 |
| Electric vehicles | 370 | 3582.9 |
| Other uses | 19766 | 22382 |
Copper is vital in renewable energy systems such as wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicle batteries because of its high electrical conductivity and durability.
It ensures the effective transmission of electricity and heat, enhancing the overall performance and sustainability of these technologies.
The rising demand for copper in the clean energy sector underscores its critical role in the transition to a greener and more sustainable future.
When Will Copper Demand Exceed Supply?
The burgeoning demand for copper has set the stage for looming supply challenges with a 22% gap predicted by 2031.
Given this metal’s pivotal role in clean energy and technological advancements, innovative mining and processing technologies could hold the key to boosting copper production and meeting the needs of a net-zero future.
Investing in Copper for a Prosperous Future
Investors looking for copper exposure may want to consider an ETF that tracks an index that offers access to companies focused on the exploration and mining of copper.
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