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Inside the Rarity, Beauty, and Legacy of the World’s Most Coveted Coloured Diamond

The Queen of Coloured Diamonds

Australian Argyle pink diamonds are some of the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world—often fetching prices 10 to 20 times higher than white diamonds of the same size.

But what exactly gives these tiny treasures their extraordinary value?

As a manufacturing jeweller based in Australia, we’ve worked with these stones firsthand—and in this article, we’ll break down the science, rarity, history, and future of Argyle pink diamonds in detail.

 1. Unique Origin: Only from Australia

Almost 90–95% of the world’s pink diamond supply came from a single mine in Western Australia: the Argyle Diamond Mine (owned by Rio Tinto).

• Located in the East Kimberley region
• Operated from 1983 until closure in 2020
• Produced over 865 million carats, but only 0.01% were pink

Why This Matters:

There are no other known sources that produce pink diamonds of comparable colour intensity and consistency. With the mine closed, Argyle pinks have become a finite natural resource—and scarcity always drives value.

 2. Unmatched Colour Intensity

The pink diamonds from the Argyle mine are known for their vivid, saturated hues, ranging from soft blush to deep magenta.

Argyle’s Exclusive Colour Scale:

3. A Mysterious Geological Formation

Unlike yellow or blue diamonds (coloured by trace elements), pink diamonds lack any impurity responsible for the hue.

💎 The colour is believed to be caused by “plastic deformation”—a structural distortion in the diamond’s crystal lattice during formation.

This rare internal twisting causes light to refract in a way that appears pink, making each stone geologically unique.

 4. Extreme Rarity – Supply Has Stopped

Since the Argyle mine officially ceased production in 2020, no new supply is entering the market. With fewer than 50 quality pink diamonds over 0.50ct released annually in its last years, prices have skyrocketed since the closure.

5. Investment Appeal & Demand Surge

Pink diamonds are not just jewellery—they are tangible investment assets. Investors and collectors worldwide are snapping them up for:

• Portfolio diversification
• Tangible asset hedging
• Long-term inheritance value

💼 Notable Auction Sales:

• 2022: A 2.34ct Argyle Fancy Vivid Pink sold for AUD $4.3 million
• 2023: Rio Tinto’s “Tender Stones” fetched record prices, averaging over AUD $2 million per carat

 6. Desirability in Fine Jewellery

From bespoke engagement rings to investment pieces, Argyle pink diamonds are the ultimate centrepiece.

As a manufacturing jeweller, we’ve seen more couples choosing pink diamonds for their:

• Uniqueness and symbolism
• Romantic hue
• Exclusivity and legacy value

 7. Genuine Argyle Certification = Value Protection

True Argyle pinks come with laser inscriptions and Argyle Origin Certificates. These include:

• Colour grading
• Lot number
• Polished weight
• GIA or IGI certification (for dual verification)

Buying an uncertified “pink diamond” without an Argyle certificate? You may be getting a less valuable stone or a treated diamond.

Final Thoughts from a Manufacturing Jeweller

The value of Argyle pink diamonds lies in their Australian heritage, extreme rarity, and unmatched natural beauty. Whether you're investing, gifting, or proposing, they offer more than sparkle—they offer a piece of geological history.

At The Diamond Club Joondalup, we source genuine Argyle pinks with full provenance, and offer custom design to preserve their story in a timeless piece.