Where Do Pink Diamonds Come From?

Pink diamonds add a delicate pink hue to a ring or a breathtakingly deep raspberry-red coloration to a necklace. Shades of pink vary, which makes these fancy colored diamonds so desirable for artisans and jewelry buyers. Of course, pink diamonds are quite rare and the supply is limited.

East Kimberly Region of Australia

Whereas in the 17^th century, these diamonds came from India and Brazil, approximately 90 percent of modern-day pink diamonds come from Australia’s Argyle mine. It was not until 1979 that geologists cataloging and exploring the rocky desert around the east Kimberly region found an unusual sparkle in an anthill. After a closer inspection, mining operations were set up and the Argyle mine began production in 1980.

At this time, the mine encompasses 110 acres of desert territory. Going o a depth of 1,900 feet, this mine was initially scheduled for closure in 2010. Switching from the open pit mine design to an underground mine setup, there is a good chance that production of pink diamonds will continue at Argyle until about 2018.

Cost Factors

Sometimes also termed Argyle diamonds because of their places of origin, these diamonds usually sell at prices that are about 20 times that of a standard white diamond. If you consider that only about 0.01 percent of all diamonds mined actually feature the desirable pink color, it stands to reason that the expense of obtaining these pieces would be considerably higher than even yellow or chocolate diamonds.

It is interesting to note that the purchase of these diamonds is a lot more involved than obtaining yellow stones or clear ones. For example, did you know that the highest-quality stones are sold at invitation-only auctions? Previews are granted during one or two months of the year in three specified locations around the world. Depending on the demand and financial backing of the bidders, prices climb quickly.

In addition, when the Argyle mine does close down its pink diamond production, it is difficult to fathom how drastically prices for the remaining gems will increase.

Reasons for the Unique Color

It is unclear why there is such a distinct concentration of the gems in this area but not anywhere else. Geologists believe that the pink color is a side effect of larger than common pressures acting on the carbon molecules of some of the stones. This pressure is thought to have damaged the stones’ crystal lattice, which then results in the pink coloration.

If you are in the market for such a diamond, be sure to inspect the GIA certificate. While natural pink diamonds are rare, it is possible to synthetically produce the look by treating clear or other colored diamonds. The costs for these pieces are reasonably low, but the treatment must be disclosed to a buyer.

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