The Missed Legacy of Argyle Pink Diamonds
When it comes to coloured diamonds, none hold quite the same mystique as Argyle pinks. These extraordinary gems, discovered in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia, shaped the market for fancy coloured diamonds for more than three decades. Their unique hue, rarity, and romantic story made them among the most sought-after stones in the world. Yet, despite their global fame, the way their certification was managed left much to be desired, leaving a bittersweet aftertaste in the diamond world.
The Argyle Mine: From Discovery to Closure
The Argyle mine was discovered in 1979 and officially opened in 1983. For years it produced more than 90% of the world’s pink diamond supply, albeit in tiny volumes compared to white diamonds. Each year, just a handful of stones were polished to the exceptional standards required to be offered in the exclusive Argyle Pink Diamond Tender, the annual event that became legendary among collectors and jewellers. After nearly four decades of production, the mine finally closed in November 2020, marking the end of an era and triggering a surge in demand for Argyle-certified stones.
Understanding the Argyle Certificate
One of the distinctive elements introduced by Argyle was its own grading system. Unlike GIA, which uses terms such as “Fancy Intense Pink” or “Fancy Vivid Pink,” the Argyle certificate classified stones with shorthand such as 1P, 2P, 3P, up to 9P. In this scale, the number referred to the intensity of the colour, with 1 being the lightest and 9 being the most saturated. The letter denoted the hue: P for pink, PR for purplish pink, PP for pink purple, PC for pink champagne and so forth.
Courtesy by About Argyle
This created an internal language of rarity and beauty that was well known within the trade, giving Argyle diamonds a distinctive identity and an added layer of storytelling tied directly to their origin.
Why Argyle Certificates Fell Short
Unlike GIA or HRD reports, Argyle’s certificates were not widely published, digitised, or given a strong market presence. Their communication strategy remained limited, almost secretive. This lack of transparency meant that, despite the mine’s closure, an Argyle certificate does not today carry the level of added value one might expect. Collectors and jewellers often still rely on GIA grading as the true reference of quality, while the Argyle certificate remains more of a niche curiosity than a universally respected standard.
This was a missed opportunity. With better publishing, stronger branding, and a broader push for consumer education, Argyle could have made its certificate a cornerstone of provenance and added significant value to every stone it graded. Instead, the certificate is often treated as a secondary document. For such a historic mine, this is a rather sad conclusion, as its legacy could have been cemented with much more clarity and strength in the market.
The Market Today
Since the closure of the mine, Argyle pinks have only grown more desirable. Their rarity, coupled with the emotional weight of their story, ensures that they remain icons of the diamond world. Collectors see them as tangible assets of beauty, scarcity, and history. And yet, the Argyle certificate stands as a reminder that even the rarest gems can lose a part of their shine if their provenance is not communicated with the same brilliance.
Image Credits: Rio Tinto
