Where to find out everything about jewellery & diamonds
Knowledge base
Chapter 6
Argyle mine diamonds
The Argyle Diamond Mine is a diamond mine located in the East Kimberley region of remote northern Western Australia. Argyle is the world's largest diamond producer by volume, although the mine is scheduled to close by 2022 due to the low percentage of gem-quality diamonds. It is the only known significant source of pink and red diamonds, producing over 90% of diamonds. In addition, the mine provides a large percentage of other naturally colored diamonds, including champagne, cognac, and rare blue diamonds. Although the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat) affect Argyle diamonds just as they do other diamonds, Argyle diamonds have developed their own system for color correction.
Pink diamonds have been found almost exclusively at the Argyle diamond mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia for the past three decades. Argyle pink diamonds are so rare that only one carat out of every million carats of rough mined at the mine is suitable for sale. For this reason, it is perhaps the most sought-after diamond in the world, fetching up to 100 times the value of an equivalent white diamond. They are bought, owned and loved by only a lucky few.
Pink argyle diamonds are rare and therefore highly sought-after treasures that are literally hunted by investors, jewelers, celebrities and people who are simply looking for an irreplaceable heirloom. It is obvious that nitrogen gives yellow diamonds their color, just as boron does for red diamonds.
However, experts are not yet sure what gives pink diamonds their rosy hue. It is believed that the structure of the diamond changes as the pressure brings the diamond closer to the earth's surface, giving it its unique hue. An unfortunate side effect of this pressure is that pink diamonds often have more inclusions, but these are hidden by their color.
Pink diamonds are divided into four categories: PP (purple pink), P (pink), pink rosé (PR) and PC (pink champagne). Then, diamonds are graded according to their color intensity, from 1 (HIGH) to 9 (LOW).
Champagne colored diamonds are truly a cause for celebration. They come in a variety of brilliant hues, from light champagne to burnished and rich browns. Their soft, earthy hues are becoming increasingly popular with collectors, connoisseurs and celebrities, and yet they are among the most affordable color diamonds. About 80% of the diamonds mined at the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia are champagne-colored diamonds, all of which exhibit unique variations in color and intensity.
Unlike the four Cs of colorless white diamonds, color intensity is the most important factor in determining the value of champagne colored diamonds. Argyle Diamonds has developed the C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7 color scales to classify this type of diamond in particular. Lighter and pinker champagne colored diamonds are in high demand because they sparkle and shine more easily than darker hues. Champagne colored diamonds are neutral and go well with any outfit. Therefore, they are a popular everyday jewelry that can be passed down through generations.
