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HOW DOES THE PINK COLOR FORM?
Unlike other coloured diamonds, where trace elements such as nitrogen or boron explain the hue, the pink colour arises in a different way. During formation, the diamond’s crystal lattice is subjected to immense pressure. This force distorts the structure and alters the way it refracts light. It is this rare distortion that gives rise to the pink colour.
A GLIMPSE IN A TERMITE MOUND
Forty years ago, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, geologists Frank Hughes and Warren Atkinson discovered a small diamond in a termite mound.
What had been brought to the surface marked the beginning of one of the world’s most significant diamond discoveries. After years of exploration, the site of the Argyle mine was identified - a mine that would later become renowned for some of the world’s most distinctive pink diamonds.
ARGYLE’S COLOR SCALE
Argyle pink diamonds are graded using a dedicated color scale that describes both hue and intensity.
Purplish Pink (PP) - Pink with a purple overtone.
Scale: 9PP (light) to 1PP (intense).
Pink (P) - Pure pink.
Scale: 9P (light) to 1P (intense).
Pink Rosé (PR) - Pink with a soft rosé nuance.
Scale: 9PR (light) to 1PR (intense).
Red & Purplish Red - Among the rarest colors on the scale.
Pink Champagne (PC) - Pink with brown undertones.
Scale: PC1 (light) to PC3 (darker).
Blue Violet (BL) - A rare blue-violet hue.
Scale: BL1 (light) to BL3 (intense).
THE RAREST OF THE RARE
The Argyle Tender was an annual and exclusive presentation of the finest and rarest diamonds mined during the year from the Argyle mine. The first tender took place in Antwerp in 1985 and consisted of just 33 diamonds. The following year, Geneva was added as a display location, and with increasing interest, cities such as New York, Hong Kong, London, Perth and Tokyo also became part of the international tour.
From 1984 to 2021, 50 to 70 of the finest pink, red, blue and violet diamonds mined each year at the Argyle mine were offered for sale at the annual Argyle Pink Diamonds Signature Tender. Since 2008, the most notable stones in each tender collection have also been named to reflect their historical significance.
This exclusivity underscores the rarity of Argyle Diamonds. According to mine records, on average, only one tenderable carat was found for every one million carats of rough diamonds mined from the Argyle mine.
Please fill out the form below if you are interested in hearing more about the possibilities of acquiring an Argyle Tender diamond.
RARITY
Only a very small percentage of all diamonds mined globally are naturally colored, with pink diamonds making up less than 0.01% of these.
UNIQUE COLOR FORMATION
Unlike other coloured diamonds, where trace elements such as nitrogen or boron explain the hue, the pink colour arises in a different way. During formation, the diamond’s crystal lattice is subjected to immense pressure. This force distorts the structure and alters the way it refracts light. It is this rare distortion that gives rise to the pink colour.
LIMITED SUPPLY
A large portion of the world's pink diamonds come from the Argyle Mine in Australia, which is known for producing over 90% of all pink diamonds. This mine closed in 2020, further limiting supply and increasing their value. Pink diamonds from the Argyle Mine have increased by 480% over the past 20 years and are expected to increase further.
HIGH DEMAND
As the supply of natural pink diamonds dwindles, demand is increasing significantly. The closure of the iconic Argyle mine in Australia in 2020 – the world’s primary source of pink diamonds – has had a historic impact on the market. With only a fraction of the world’s diamonds naturally occurring in pink shades, these stones are becoming rarer by the day.
Collectors, investors and connoisseurs around the world seek pink diamonds for their color intensity, rarity and ability to retain – and often increase – their value over time. Interest is driven not only by their beauty, but also by their position as an investment of the highest order.
DIVERSITY IN THE PORTFOLIO
Diamonds represent an alternative investment option that can help reduce risk in a portfolio. With their lower volatility compared to many other assets, they also act as a potential hedge against inflation.
CERTIFICATION
Always purchase a diamond with a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certificate for internationally recognized documentation. If the diamond originates from the Argyle mine, Argyle documentation is also recommended.
Exceptional rarity can be found in color, quality or carat weight.
1 | Pink diamonds - particularly those from the Argyle mine
2 | Blue and red diamonds
3 | Large, high-quality diamonds
