Pink Diamonds: One of the Most Sought After Colored Diamond

When one speaks of coloured diamonds arguably the foremost stone in this range is the pink variant. Arguably pink diamonds is the diamond that type that best defines the character of coloured diamonds: defined by their rarity, beauty and high value.

In this Education page, we will outline the main factors that set pink diamonds apart from the rest. And in the process provide some interesting points about the special variety of pink diamonds known as the Argyle pink diamonds.

What Makes Pink Diamonds Special

Pink diamonds are among the most sought-after precious gemstones in the world. Diamonds or otherwise. The rich pink hue that is found in various intensities of the colour, is immensely rare in nature and along its close proximate, the red diamond is among the top gemstones in the world. Commanding great perceived value, being recognised as a top gemstone, with exorbitant price points to match them. And what puts pink diamonds in this category is that they are extremely difficult to acquire.

The value of pink diamonds like all top gemstones is based on a combination of rarity and beauty. Whilst diamonds are rare as they are in the natural world, fancy-coloured diamonds make up only a small fraction of it all. Pink diamonds make up a much smaller percentage of the is total. Thus making natural pink diamonds immensely hard to come by.

The Origins of Pink Diamonds

When one considers one of the top gemstones in the world that is matched by its immense rarity, a legitimate question that comes to mind is: how did they come into being? For starters, pink diamonds are like other natural diamonds in that they are formed entirely of carbon. The formation of diamonds is something you may have heard about, and they involve the hardening of carbon atoms deep inside the Earth’s surface, which takes place thanks to the immense heat and pressure they are subjected to. The unique organisation of these carbon atoms into what is known as covalent bonds is what gives them immense durability. And remains a key determinant in diamond value.

When it comes to pink diamonds, where their colour in addition to the core qualities of diamonds emerges, the interest naturally surrounds what gives their unique colour. The answer to this question has for a long time remained a mystery. As the traditional explanation of trace minerals, However unlike other natural diamonds that feature distinct hues like blue and yellow pink diamonds get their colour from a recently identified natural phenomenon called plastic deformation.

Since diamond form deep within the Earth's surface, during the process carbon atoms collapse to form the specific crystal structures of the stone. During this process, certain disruptions are caused to the diamond’s crystal structure, which results in plastic deformation that affects the particular way in which the hardened crystal interacts with light, leading to the reflection of red light.

The majority of pink diamonds are found in one place on Earth, the Argyle mine in remote northwestern Australia; and the closing of the famous mine at the end of 2020 means that pink diamonds are growing rarer and more valuable by the day. With Argyle pink diamonds an absolute premium.

 The Rare Argyle Pink Diamonds

When speaking of pink diamonds, there is a tendency to speak of them as one unified group. And that is for the most part acceptable. However, in the family of pink diamonds, which in case we forget is a subset of the larger group of fancy-coloured diamonds, there is a special variant of the stone: enter the Argyle pink diamonds. A member of the family of pink diamonds that are sourced only from legendary Argyle mines of Western Australia.

The mines are known for producing top-quality coloured diamonds and other top-class natural diamonds. What set Argyle diamonds apart from the rest is that almost 90 per cent of the world’s pink and red diamonds were sourced from this region. The sheer concentration of pink and red diamonds sourced from this region led to certain standardisation of pink diamond quality, with stones that fall into this category marked according to the pink hue and concentration of colour.

In time, pink diamonds are sourced from other top diamond-producing nations, such as South Africa, Canada, Russia, Brazil and parts of Africa, most notably the East African nation of Tanzania. When it comes to measuring the quality of the colour of pink diamonds there is a standard. Similar to the standards that are found in the world of rubies, where rubies mined from nations like Myanmar being standout in contrast to the more pinkish hue that is found in rubies from Ceylon, Argyle pink diamonds are distinguished by their distinct ‘bubble gum’ pink. One that varies in terms of vibrancy. Interestingly Argyle pink diamonds also come in a number of varying shades, from slightly purplish tones to the darker variants which are the best in the business.

Pink Diamond Grading

When it comes to determining pink diamond quality it is important to start by analysing them in relation to the better-known white diamonds or colourless diamonds. Whilst the famous colourless diamond is not technically “white”, as its distinct character is defined by the absence of colour-producing trace elements, like nitrogen. The presence of these elements in various amounts gives rise to the various diamond ‘colours’ which are measured on the D – Z scale. Diamonds that fall closer to the D mark are of higher quality owing to the absence of such tones. With pink diamonds, the criteria are inverted, with gemstones with greater colour being valued more valued. Pink diamonds from other parts of the world come close to matching the deeper pinks of the Argyle pink diamonds being higher in value.

Pink Diamond Jewellery

No discussion of pink diamonds or any diamond for that matter is complete without mentioning their use in the world of fine jewellery. Whilst diamonds remain the top and most recognised gemstone of value in the world, they are being challenged by other top competitors like sapphires and rubies for the market for fine jewellery like diamond engagement rings. However, with pink diamonds, there is no such competition. These diamonds truly are a special variety, and they are only found in the highest circles of wealth and nobility. Some of the most famous pink diamonds like the stone featured in the Noor-ul-Ain Diamond Tiara of the once-powerful Iranian Royal family are such examples.

Today getting holds of a pink diamond is extremely difficult, as they are not sold by conventional jewellery companies. And the purchase of Argyle pink diamonds is almost impossible as they are only available in special auctions for the very wealthy, with Argyle pink diamond commanding prices that range in the millions of dollars.