Question 1

When did the Argyle mine close?

Accepted Answer

The Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia closed in November 2020 after its economic ore was exhausted. It had operated since the 1980s. Because no new production is coming from Argyle, supply of its pink diamonds is limited to stones already cut and circulating in the trade, which is why provenance documentation has become so important.

Question 2

How do I know a pink diamond is really from Argyle?

Accepted Answer

Look for Argyle documentation, such as a certificate linked to a laser inscription on the girdle, and check that it matches the stone. Standard laboratory reports confirm natural colour but usually do not identify the mine. Without original documentation, an Argyle origin claim is difficult to verify, so ask the seller what evidence supports it before paying a provenance premium.

Question 3

Why are most Argyle pink diamonds small?

Accepted Answer

Argyle produced very large volumes of diamonds, but the pink crystals were typically small, and cutting to maximise colour removes further weight. As a result, most Argyle pinks are well under one carat, and many are used as small accent or melee stones. Polished Argyle pinks of a carat or more with strong colour are uncommon.

Question 4

What do Argyle pink colour codes like 5PP mean?

Accepted Answer

Argyle graded its pinks with a letter code for hue and a number for intensity. PP means purplish pink, P pink, PR pink rose and PC pink champagne. Lower numbers indicate stronger colour, so a 3PP is more saturated than a 7PP. These codes are Argyle's own system and do not map exactly onto GIA fancy colour grades.

Argyle Pink Diamonds