Whilst Coloured Diamonds are usually a result of trace elements within the surrounding ore deposits. It is thought the Pink Diamonds from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia are not coloured as a result of an impurity, but attain their colour as a result of extreme pressure beneath the earth’s surface.
Western Australia’s famous Diamonds have been dated back to more than one billion years. It is understood that the crystal lattice was altered by geological forces to produce a unique structure that absorbs light in such a way that the gem assumes a pink hue.
Coloured Diamonds from the Western Australia mine have their own unique colour grading system. Starting with the rarest Reds, through the pink spectrum of Purple Pink, Pink, Pink Rose and Pink Champagne, the most intense Pinks having a grading of 1 and the lightest of colour being graded a 9. The Australian mine also produces some very rare and attractive Blue / Violet diamonds which are shown on the colour chart.
The 3 main factors to understanding the colour of Australian Pink diamonds from the Argyle Diamond mine
Hue:
Is the dominant colour of the diamond. Sometimes there are modifying colours or tints that affect hue.
Tone
Is the amount of lightness or darkness in the diamond. The range of tone extends from light to dark.
Saturation
Is the strength or intensity of hue. The saturation of light in diamonds can vary from pastel to vivid and intense. The darker and more intense the colour, the rarer and more valuable the diamond. This is important to note for pink diamond engagement rings.
