The Argyle Diamond Mine

the-argyle-diamond-mineThe famed Argyle Diamond Mine is located in Western Australia’s remote East Kimberley region. This mine is well-known to produce an estimate of 0.1% of the diamond supply in the world and around 90% of the world’s rare pink diamonds. It also produces champagne, pink, and white diamonds plus some other rare colors as well. This mine has been considered to be a wonder because of its success and high production rate of diamonds for around 30 years already. As a result, the mine has made itself famous and its products, namely their signature stone, the Argyle Pink Diamond. This is the reason why a lot of diamond collectors and investors are following this mine closely when it comes to acquiring their supply.

It was in 1979 when a group of geologists who were exploring the rugged Kimberley region in Australia stumbled upon a diamond. This discovery led to the founding of Rio-Tinto’s Argyle Mine in 1983. Experts are convinced that there are still lots of diamonds in that area that are waiting to be found. Since then, a lot of diamonds have been unearthed from that mine. It also became as one of the most technologically advanced mines in the entire world. Even though those other regions such as Brazil and Africa also reported to have found colored diamonds, it’s the Argyle Mines that continues to produce a consistent and reliable supply of diamonds in the entire world. In fact, the Argyle Diamond Mine is known to be the world’s biggest supplier of natural and brown diamonds.

The Argyle Pink Diamonds are famous for being one of the most concentrated forms of wealth in the world and can be a good investment opportunity for its owner compared to the traditional form of investments such as bonds, stocks, and precious metals. Apart from the rare pink diamonds being produced in the Argyle mine, it can also range from Red to Pink to Purplish Pink to Pink to Pink Rose to Pink Champagne to Violet and many other exclusive shades of color.

The Argyle Mineinside-the-argyle-mine

The mine is located 2,500km from the Australian City of Perth, Western Australia’s capital. It started its operations in 1985, and it created an impact in the world of diamonds especially on the production of the pink ones. An approximate of 20 million carats worth of diamonds are being produced on a yearly basis at this mine, but only less than 0.1% of t
hose diamonds have the pink color.

Back in 2009, it was estimated that the mine has only 10 more years to go in its lifespan and even Argyle has confirmed this claim in their own publications. So this means that the production of diamonds would only last until 2019. Once the Argyle mine stops its operations, there will never be another mine that could replicate these unique properties ever again.

The Argyle Mine is being controlled by Rio-Tinto, the 3rd world’s largest mining company. They are able to produce an approximate of 35 million carats of rough diamonds each year, but 5% of them are considered to be of gem quality. In addition, it was accounted that less than 2% of all the colored stones that are mined have been certified as pink diamonds. The Argyle diamonds are famous for showing off fantastic colors and retain an unbelievable value. In fact, the diamonds they produce here can sometimes be valued almost twice the amount of the same beautiful pink diamond that is mined somewhere else.

Argyle put in a lot of work into making their pink diamond unit a brand because of how they were able to foresee the kind of potential these stones have. They were able to come up with their own grading system and after assessing the diamonds, they took note of the clarity grade and color in their own Argyle Certificate.

In addition to that, the Argyle mine uses a laser to inscribe the diamonds that are sold through their business unit so that they can easily verify the authenticity of the stone. There’s no doubt why a lot of investors and collectors always prefer the Argyle stone’s beauty and ability to retain value. Since the mine was projected to close down by 2018, there is a high demand on their diamonds which will then benefit investors in the future.

The Argyle Pink Color Diamond

For those who are into fancy color diamonds, one of the aspects they love about these stones is the unique colors that come with it. The reason why these diamonds come with such unique colors is that of the impurities of certain elements within the compound structure. It is believed that the immense pressure that happens in the stones beneath the earth’s surface for a significant amount of time is the reason why it was able to display such colors. The pressure then brings the stones closer to the surface which in return, alters its structure, makes them refract light and produces the color. Even though it might be rare, violet and blue diamonds are sometimes found in the Argyle mine. It has been theorized that the violet diamonds receive their color in the same way except that some additional elements alter their color even more. The color of a diamond is one of the 4Cs wherein it applies even to colorless diamonds. The rarity and intensity of a diamond’s color can have a huge impact when it comes to its value.

Of all the Argyle gems, the most famous one is the Pink Jubilee wherein it is known as the largest rough pink diamond that has been discovered in Australia. When it was found in its rough state, it weighed in at 12.76 carats and after the diamond has been recut and polished, it still weighs at a notable 8.01 carats. That alone is the reason why the Argyle Mine became most sought out mine in the entire world.

brown-diamondThe Argyle Brown and Champagne Diamonds

Apart from the Argyle mine being famous for its production of pink diamonds, it is also known to be a major supplier of the brown diamonds and in particular, the undeniably elegant champagne-colored diamonds. The champagne color diamonds have continued to increase its popularity during the recent years. In fact, 80% of the diamonds being mined in Argyle have a brown color.

According to Diamond Investing News, Rio-Tinto announced that brown diamonds suddenly became a hot commodity amongst diamond enthusiasts and investors. The reason for this is that when the mine shuts down, the diamonds will become scarce on the market, thus making it be sought after by many.

The Argyle Tender

This is an exclusive and posh event by Argyle mines where it highlights some of the most exceptional Argyle Pink Diamonds that have been found each year. It is an event where only a few are invited and presents them with an opportunity to bid on 40 to 70 signature diamonds that are not available to the public.

Even before the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender started, the diamonds that were offered are already branded as extremely valuable items. In the early 1980s, Laurence Graff, a London Jeweler, bought all the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender Collection. Graff then used the entire collection to start a contemporary version of the 18th century Tremblant flower. After just a few hours that the piece was completed, it was immediately sold to one of the most famous diamond collectors, the Sultan of Brunei. Leibish & Co. is one of the few attendees that got an invitation from tender and they dominated their appearance by winning 17 tender diamonds in 2012, 6 tender diamonds in 2011, 6 in 2010, and 1 in 2009.

argyle-pink-diamondsMaking an investment in Argyle Pink Diamonds

A lot of investors nowadays turn to Various Fancy Color Diamonds, Argyle Pink Diamonds, in particular, to invest their money. Due to the rarity, beauty, and impending extinction, the value of these stones never stops from rising.

The Argyle Pink Diamond has been labeled as “the most concentrated form of wealth on earth. Josephine Archer even said that the rarity is the reason why the prices continue to rise for the Argyle Pink Diamonds. When one of Argyle Diamond Mine’s chief engineers, Rebecca Pickering, was asked about the stone’s rarity, she replied that 1% of their total production is pink diamonds. Through this statement alone, you can see why the Argyle Pink Diamonds are highly desired by many despite its high value.

There’s no denying that the Argyle mine is probably the largest source of pink diamonds that the world will ever see even though that there are so many pink diamonds that are yet to be found. The Pink Argyle Diamonds’ rarity makes it a hot commodity that continues to increase its popularity amongst diamond enthusiasts, investors, and even celebrities. Regardless of the fact that the Argyle diamonds will close down in the next few years, one thing is certain: The Argyle mine became more than just a diamond mine but rather, a diamond empire that will surely be remembered for eternity.


Most Famous Diamonds in the World

Diamonds are one of the most elegant things in the world because of how it sparkles and stands out amongst the other jewelry. There’s no doubt why a lot of people would like to add this to their jewelry collection.

If you also fancy diamonds, then perhaps, you should get to know some of the most famous ones so that you can fulfill your appetite for these precious gems.

blue-hope-diamondThe Blue Hope – This diamond was named after its buyer, Henry Thomas Hope, and weighs in at 45.52 carats. The ironic thing about this diamond is that despite its name, it has a history of being associated with bringing bad luck to its owners. It was believed that this stone was once a part of the also famous diamond, the Blue Tavernier Diamond, which was brought from India to Europe in 1642. It was then purchased by King Louis XIV who ordered it to be cut down from 112 carats to 67.50 carats so that its brilliance will be visible. During the French Revolution, the diamond was stolen, and by the year 1830, a smaller diamond with the same resemblance to the Blue Tavernier was sold to Hope, an English banker. Hope’s son then inherited the diamond, and after that, he lost his fortune. After that, it was acquired by an American widow named Mrs. Edward Mclean wherein her family suffered some catastrophes. Most of them died and not long after, she committed suicide as well. By 1949, a New York diamond merchant named Harry Winston bought the diamond, and a lot of his clients refused to buy the stone. It is now being displayed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.

The Sancy – This diamond comes in a pear shape and weighs in at 55 carats. It was first owned by the Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, who eventually lost it during a battle in 1477. The stone was named after its later owner named Seigneur de Sancy who is the French Ambassador to Turkey during the late 16th century. He then loaned the diamond to the French King, Henry III wherein he wore it in a cap that conceals his baldness. After that, Henry IV of France also borrowed the diamond from Sancy and was later on sold to James I of England in 1664. It was then fled by the last of the Stuart kings of England named James II in 1688. During the French revolution, the stone disappeared without a trace.

Hortensia – This peach colored stone weighs in at 20 carats and is named after the Queen of Holland who is also the step-daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte. The diamond is famous as part of the French Crown Jewels and is being displayed at the Louvre in Paris.

the-taylor-burtonThe Taylor-Burton – This diamond comes with a pear-shaped cut, IF clarity grade, and weighs in at 69.42 carats. It was mined in the Premier Mine in South Africa in 1966. It was an original rough that weighs in at 240.80 carats and later on cut into 69.42 carats. The diamond was first bought by Richard Burton for $1,100,000 and named it as a gift for Elizabeth Taylor. When Burton died in 1979, Taylor sold the stone for charity at a whopping price of $2.8 million. Taylor donated it in the memory of Burton to a hospital in Biafra. The last time this stone was seen is in Saudi Arabia.

The Regent – This is known as the most beautiful diamond in the world because of its exceptional limpidity and perfect cut. It weighs in at 140.50 carats and was discovered in India in 1698. During its discovery, the Governor of Madras, Thomas Pitt, acquired the stone and sent it to England to have it cut. The Regent purchased it in 1717 from Pitt to have it placed on the French Crown. It was placed on the band of Louis XV’s silver gilt crown during his coronation ceremony in 1722 and later on to Louis XVI’s crown in 1775. By 1801, it was figured on the hilt of the sword of the First Consul and later on to the two-edged sword of the Emperor in 1812. In 1825, it was placed on the crown of Charles X’s coronation ceremony, and it embellished the “Grecian diadem” of Empress Eugenie during the Second Empire. It is being displayed today at the Louvre in Paris.

The Idol’s Eye – This diamond is cut in a flattened pear-shaped that is the size of a bantam’s egg and weighs in at 70.20 carats. The stone is famous for belonging once in the eye of an idol and was eventually stolen. According to legend, the stone was used as ransom for Princess Rasheetah who has been abducted by the Sheik of Kashmir to the Sultan of Turkey.

The Centenary Diamond – This diamond was discovered as a rough at the Premier Mine in 1986 and weighs in at 599.10 carats. The diamond was ultimately cut by master-cutter Gabi Tolkowsky along with a small selected team. It took them 3 years to complete its transformation into a 273.85 carat diamond which is now known as the world’s largest, most modern-cut, flawless diamond.

mountain-of-lightKoh-i-Noor (Mountain of Light) – This oval cut gem weighs in at 105.60 carats and is now part of the British Crown Jewels. The diamond has a history that dated back to 1304 where it is known as the longest of all the famous diamonds in the world. During the 16th century, the stone was captured by the Rajahs of Malwah’s Mogul, Sultan Babur then, later on, remained in possession of other Mogul emperors. It was believed that it had been set in Shah Jehan’s famous Peacock Throne. After the Persian empire has been divided, the diamond found its way to India. It is said to have traveled to Afghanistan with a bodyguard of Nadir Shah, who is in the possession of the stone when the Shah was murdered. It was later offered to Ranjit Singh of the Punjab in exchange for military help, but it was never delivered. When the fight between the British and the Sikhs broke out, The East India Company claimed the stone as a partial indemnity and later on presented to Queen Victoria in 1850. The diamond originally weighed in at 1986 carats when it came from India but was, later on, recut into 108.93 carats. The Queen first worn it as a brooch and was later set in the State Crown which was worn by Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. In 1937, Queen Elizabeth wore the diamond during her coronation ceremony. It is now being kept in the Tower of London along with the other Crown Jewels.

The Orloff – This diamond is a Mogul-cut rose and weighs in at 300 carats when it was first found in the Diamond Treasury of Russia in Moscow. The Orloff is known to have so many historical episodes. The first one is that it has been set as the diamond eye of Vishnu’s idol in Sriangam temple’s innermost sanctuary and was later on stolen by a French deserter in the 1700s. However, the deserter only took one eye from the idol because the thought of retribution terrified him thus leaving the other diamond behind. He then sold the diamond to an English sea-captain in Madras for 2,000 pounds. As time passes by, the diamond made its way to Amsterdam where the ex-lover of Empress Catherine the great, Russian Count Grigori Orloff, was currently residing. He heard the rumors about the stone and eventually bought it for 90,000 pounds and brought it back to Russia as a favor for Catherine. Right after that, the stone has been officially called as the Orloff. Catherine received the gift that was given to her and then placed it in the Imperial Sceptre. In exchange for The Orloff, Catherine gave Orloff a marble palace, but despite his efforts, he still couldn’t get her love him. In 1783, Orloff passed away at the nadir of disappointment. In 1812, the Russians feared that Napoleon was about to enter Moscow with his Grand Army, so he had it hidden in the tomb of a priest. However, Napoleon was informed of the diamond’s location and went on to claim it. As soon as a soldier of the Army was about to grab the Orloff, the ghost of the priest appeared and laid upon a terrible curse on the Army. Napoleon then scampered away without The Orloff diamond in his hands.

The Great Star of Africa – This diamond has the largest cut in the world and weighs in at 530.20 carats. It has 74 facets, pear-shaped cut and is being set in the Royal Scepter along with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. It was known to be the largest diamond even in its rough state because of it being an original 3,106-carat. The Star Africa was discovered in Transvaal, South Africa in 1095 during the inspection tour of the Premier Mine. It was later cut by Joseph Asscher and Company of Amsterdam, who took 6 months to examine the diamond before it gets divided. The result yielded 9 major and 96 smaller brilliant cut stones. It was said by many that there are signs surrounding the stone in which it originally was a much larger crystal. However, no discovery of the “missing half” has never been authenticated.


Diamond Quality in Engagement rings

The 4 Cs of Diamond Quality

The 4 C of a Diamond are considered common knowledge when it comes to Diamond dealer or expert but what are they exactly?  Let's find out

CUT

4-cs-of-diamond-qualityWhen someone refers to the cut of a diamond, they are referring to the quality of the gem’s facets, small mirror-like surfaces. Diamonds that are well cut will reflect light from the inside and around the facets to create a sparkle. As such, the more mathematically proportionate the facets are, the more light that will be reflected and the more brilliant the shine. The cut is the only one of the 4 Cs of diamond quality that is directly influenced by human intervention. However, it is also widely believed to be the most important. Well-cut diamonds will be awarded a higher quality rating and, as such, will be more valuable than larger stones or gems that have a better colour but a lower quality cut.

CARAT

The carat refers to the weight of a diamond, and the term is derived from the word carob because the weight of diamonds in the ancient world was measured using carob seeds. One carat equals 200 milligrammes.
Larger diamonds are relatively rare; as such, large diamonds can be extremely valuable. In the event the cut, clarity, and colour of two diamonds are otherwise equal, the heavier diamond will have the highest market value.

COLOUR

4-cs-of-diamond-quality-1 White or colourless diamonds naturally occur in different shades. The colour of a diamond is graded using a scale that ranges from D (colourless) to Z (light colour). The differences between each shade in this scale can be barely detectable. As such, graders evaluate the colour in controlled lighting conditions and compare each diamond against a master to ensure colour-grading accuracy.

In addition to white or colourless diamonds, other coloured fancies are also available. These gems may be blue, black, green, pink, or yellow-orange. Coloured diamonds are rare and extremely valuable. The colour of these gems is graded according to the colour intensity of the diamond.

CLARITY

Diamonds often include ‘inclusions,’ naturally occurring flaws such as uncrystallised carbon, minute fractures, or mineral deposits. These were formed deep in the diamond as it evolved and cannot be removed. The clarity component of a diamond refers to how many of these inclusions are contained within it. Inclusions are typically undetectable by the human eye. However, they are important because they impact how the diamond reflects and refracts light. To assess the clarity of a diamond, the grader will examine it under 10x magnification and subsequently assign a clarity grade that ranges from F (flawless) through to I (included). In addition to this grading, the report will also specify the location of any inclusions.

 

Next lesson ---

 


Diamonds are sparkling, but would you be a sucker to invest?

In fact, investing in diamonds is never straightforward, even when the stones do exist – mainly because valuing them is so tricky.

http://www.theweek.co.uk/prosper/57523/diamonds-are-sparkling-would-you-be-sucker-invest


Global Diamond Report 2015

We focus on the reasons for the recent drop in rough and polished prices against the background of continued but slowing growth in the macro economy.

http://www.bain.com/publications/articles/the-global-diamond-industry-2015-growth-perspectives-amid-short-term-challenges.aspx


Global Diamond Report 2013

This report identifies key trends along the value chain for rough and polished diamonds, as well as diamond jewelry.

http://www.bain.com/publications/articles/global-diamond-report-2013.aspx