What Are Argyle Diamonds? All You Need To Know

What Are Argyle Diamonds? All You Need To Know

Caitlyn Rugless Caitlyn Rugless
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There is no doubt that diamonds are some of the most beautiful gemstones around. With their incredible sparkle, stunning hues and immense rarity, it’s not difficult to understand why people love diamonds. But what if we were to tell you that there are pink diamonds too? The Australian pink diamond is gorgeous, exceptionally rare and unique. While many dream of a beautifully saturated-coloured stone that will last a lifetime, unfortunately, many gemstones like amethyst and morganite are not durable enough to be worn every day. Diamonds on the other hand are some of the strongest stones around, and now you can enjoy a stunning pink stone with all the best qualities of a diamond.

Pink diamonds are beautiful, there is no double about it. They are sourced from the world's leading producer, Rio Tinto’s Argyle Diamond Mine in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia, hence the name ‘Argyle diamond’. These diamonds are so rare that they can only gather between 50 and 60 diamonds per year. While pink diamonds have been found in other regions, none come close to the radiant depth of pink that the Australian mines produce. In other countries' pink diamonds tend to be more pale and soft. Argyle diamonds also come in beautiful white varieties.

Overview:

What are Argyle Diamonds?

Origin of the Argyle Diamond

The Argyle diamond is a relatively new discovery. In 1979, a group of geologists were digging in the heart of a region known as East Kimberley, in Western Australia. At a glance they noticed something glittering in the sun on an anthill, and much to their surprise it turned out to be a depository of pink diamonds! While the mines revealed various stones, the pink diamond would prove to be the most valuable find.

The unique composition and colour of an Argyle diamond is attributed to a volcanic eruption,  whereminerals like zeolite, micas, kaolinite and clays interacted with the diamonds during their formation. While most Argyle diamonds do contain small amounts of nitrogen, their colour is mostly due to the structural defects of the crystal lattice.

What are Argyle diamonds? Origin of the argyle diamondWhile Argyle diamonds do have a distinct colour about them, it is their perceived prestige that makes them more expensive than other diamonds. Over recent years, there has been a considerable decline in Argyle pink diamond production, and it seems that it will only continue to decline. With low supply, high demand and the impending closure of the site, diamond prices are set to skyrocket. Fortunately, there are also pink lab grown diamonds that you can choose from.

Learn more: Are Lab Grown Pink Diamonds Worth Buying And Other FAQs

Characteristics of Argyle Diamonds

Argyle jewellers decided to dismiss the traditional grading system for diamonds, and have created their own. This action was yet another step to ensure that no other diamond would compare to an Argyle diamond. Differently to traditional diamonds, the price of an Argyle diamond relies solely on the colour of the stone. When grading a coloured  stone, there are three factors that determine the outcome: the hue, tone and saturation. The hue is the dominant colour of the stone; the hue is determined by how much light is in the stone and the saturation is the strength of the hue. Pink diamonds account for less than 1% of the Argyle mine’s output. Diamonds can be divided into four categories based on colour: PP (purplish pink), P (pink), PR (pink rose) and PC (pink champagne).

What are Argyle Diamonds? Characteristics of Argyle diamonds

If you are looking for an exceptionally rare piece that will be the investment of a lifetime, then look no further than Argyle diamonds. Not only are they beautiful and dazzling, but they are also incredibly rare!

Our Favourite Pink Diamond Jewellery Pieces:

Luminesce Lab Grown Diamond Pendant with Pink Diamond 9ct White Gold with Chain

Luminesce Lab Grown Diamond Pendant with Pink Diamond 9ct White Gold with Chain

$599.00

This Circle of Life Luminesce Lab Grown Pendant sparkles with 38 white Lab Grown Diamonds including an added touch of perfection with a Pink Luminesce Lab Grown Diamond. Luminesce Lab Grown Diamonds are quickly increasing in popularity as not only… read more

FAQs

What is so special about Argyle diamonds?

Argyle diamonds are some of the rarest diamonds in the world. They are also some of the most expensive diamonds found in nature, valuing over $100,000 per carat. 

How expensive are Argyle diamonds?

As one of the most expensive diamonds in the world, they can start at $3,000 up to $1,000,000. However, this all depends on the hue of the diamond and the carats. 

How much will Argyle diamonds increase in value?

With the decline in Argyle diamond production, it is predicted that we will see a price value increase of around 20-30% per year.

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