Pink Diamonds: A Beginner’s Guide to Argyle Pink Diamonds

Pink Diamonds - Emerald Cut Pink, Purple and Red Diamonds

What are pink diamonds?

Pink diamonds fall into an entirely different category from regular white diamonds. In fact, their value sets them apart owing to their incredible rarity. Their colours range from pink and purple through to red in an incredible array of variations in tone and hue.

Gemstone collectors and investors, jewellery lovers and connoisseurs all covet the rare beauty of their natural fancy colour.

Pear shaped pink diamond
Pink pear-shaped diamond. (Image copyright author).

We believe their attraction is not just because of rarity and value, but their association with the colour, long associated with timeless romance and passion.

Why are some diamonds pink?

Pink diamonds possibly owe their colouration to a mysterious structural deformation within the diamond. Although the exact reason still remains a subject for debate.

Some believe the colour is an effect caused by heat and pressure over thousands of years—the result of lattice defects in the arrangement of the atoms within the diamond crystal.

How incredible to think that such a rare and valuable characteristic occurs as a result of a defect in the matrix of the diamond?

The Argyle diamond grading system

Origin and the Argyle Mine

Ninety per cent of the World’s pink diamonds originate from the Argyle Mine in the Kimberly region of Western Australia.

A large proportion of their production included other (non-fancy) colours such as white, brown and champagne. The mine opened in 1983 and operated for 37 years. Finally, it closed in November 2020.

Are pink diamonds rare?

Interestingly, just 0.1 per cent of the Argyle mine’s operations produced pink diamonds. For this reason, they make up some of the rarest diamonds in the World along with other naturally fancy coloured diamonds.

Rough diamond from the Argyle Mine, courtesy of Petra Diamonds

A natural pink rough diamond. Image courtesy of Petra Diamonds.

Tenders and sealed bids

Each year, an Annual Argyle Pink Diamond Tender takes place. This invitation-only event attracts master jewellers around the world since it began in 1984. Held yearly, the event unveils a selection of fifty to sixty diamonds shown at private viewings across the World. Bidders place sealed silent bids for specific diamonds above a reserve price applied to each stone.

Argyle diamond tender, courtesy of Rio Tinto

The importance of shape and cut

Pink diamonds take around 3-4 times longer to cut than white diamonds. Surprisingly, their colour can be either intensified or lost through the shape chosen. For this reason, expert cutters give careful consideration to the size and shape of each polished diamond.

GIA pink colour descriptions

The following chart shows different descriptions for a GIA certified stone.  Colour grading for natural pink diamonds

Argyle diamond engagement rings

Each year, clients approach us for help with fancy coloured diamond jewellery. `As a result, we advise clients on their own specific situation. For example, some clients approach us to set their own diamonds. At other times, clients ask us to source the diamond and to create a complete ring.

Many chosen designs come from our existing collection of engagement rings. Other styles come from our bespoke jewellery design service.

Argyle diamond certificates, showing the GIA report and Argyle certificate for the same diamond

Our image shows the GIA diamond certificate and Argyle certificate for the same diamond. Please note certificate numbers have been obscured for privacy reasons.

Argyle pink diamond ring

Argyle pink diamond ring from our bespoke engagement rings collection.

Notice that the diamond certificates include the GIA description. At the same time, they feature the Argyle colour reference to the diamond. In short, Very light pink according to GIA. At the same time, 9 PR – Pink Rosé as described by Argyle. To illustrate this, our video below shows the subtle shade of pink noticeable once set into the finished ring.

Alternative gemstones for engagement rings

Let’s face it, not everyone can afford a natural fancy coloured diamond. For this reason, we receive requests for more affordable gemstones. But, many buyers want a gemstone with a hardness like diamond. For this reason, we recommend Sapphire. To be precise, Pink Sapphire. Basically, we match a precious gemstone to the desired colour of an expensive pink diamond.

Interestingly, our most popular alternative offers a similar hardness to diamond. As a result, it is suitable for engagement rings. Pink Sapphire offers many people a deeper colour. Pink Sapphires often have a purplish-pink colour. Sapphires come in all shapes and sizes, with a greater availability at a more affordable price.

Pink fliss engagement ring shown with diamond shoulders and pink sapphire

Other gemstone suggestions include Morganite, another diamond with a distinctive pink colour. Morganite, a variety of Beryl continues to gain popularity. Morganite often features in Rose Gold or Platinum settings. But, unlike Pink Sapphire, Morganite often features more of a peachy-pink colour. In contrast, Pink Sapphires offer more of a purplish-pink colour.

Morganite makes a great alternative shown here in a cushion shape

Morganite makes a beautiful alternative to a pink diamond. For example, here we show a Cushion-shaped example of Morganite, alongside a Platinum halo ring design.

Man-made pink diamonds

Our most recent alternative to natural pink diamonds originates in the laboratory instead of below ground. We now provide lab grown pink diamonds in different hues at a fraction of the cost of a natural pink diamond. Please contact us for more help on this new service. Our example below shows one of our stock diamonds, 0.95 carats in weight, provided with certification and identical in appearance to a natural intense pink diamond.

Pink diamond engagement rings

For many buyers, a pink diamond engagement ring exceeds any realistic budget for a ring design. For this reason, a lab-grown pink diamond engagement ring makes sense and falls within a realistic budget for many buyers. One of our recent showroom designs, created for our ready-made ring collection, featured the above pink diamond set into a Platinum ring. In addition to the centre diamond, small white brilliant cut diamonds added contrast. View the Blush pink diamond engagement ring online.

Blush, pink diamond engagement ring with white diamond shoulders.

About Mark Johnson

My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.

About Mark Johnson

My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.