Association with Argyle
Rare & Precious Gems is the nation's only company to have ever been granted the distinction of being an Argyle Pink Diamond Authorized Partner and one of only a handful of companies worldwide to have been selected by Rio Tinto to be an exclusive distributor of Argyle mine's Pink Diamonds, some of the most valuable and sought after diamonds in the world.
Argyle Mine, located in the east Kimberley region in the remote north of Western Australia, is the world's largest supplier of diamonds, producing about 30 million carats annually. This unique mine began production in 1985 and has been owned and operated by Rio Tinto since 2002. The open pit is now so deep that they transitioned to underground mining in 2008. The world's supply of natural colored diamonds is expected to drop sharply as Argyle advance toward final closure by 2018.
Because of its rare geological setting, the Argyle Mine produces more colored diamonds than other operating mines in the world. Its awe-inspiring colors are derived from the presence of trace elements during diamond creation, distortions to the crystal, or radiation and pressure on a diamond's structure over time.
Argyle Signature Pink Diamonds
Argyle is the world's primary source (95%) of rare pink diamonds, its signature stones. These highly sought-after gems are found in an exquisite array of hues and tones including hot pinks, fiery reds, but also in combination with secondary colors such as purple, resulting in rare and opulent purplish-pink gems. Argyle Pink Diamonds are so rare that few people get the privilege to even see them, let alone own them.
Though Argyle Mine supplies about 90% of the world's pink diamonds, astonishingly, a whole year's worth of production of pink diamonds can fit in the palm of one hand. The larger, rarer violet diamonds would barely fill a teaspoon. Like a work of art, they are the limited edition of diamonds for connoisseurs. With only about a decade of supply remaining in the mine, as time passes the Argyle Pink Diamond will become ever more valuable & precious.
Other Colors
Argyle is renowned for its scintillating array of colored diamonds, which include eye-catching yellow gems in hues and tones from very light yellow to vivid yellow. Brown diamonds - often referred to as chocolate, champagne or cognac gems - occur in warm autumn hues and rich earth tones. These colored gems are universally appealing and the most affordable of all rare colored diamonds.
Interesting Highlights about Argyle:
- Argyle is the world's leading supplier of pink, champagne and cognac diamonds and has its own grading system for these gems.
- Argyle has produced some of the rarest diamonds in the world, primarily red, purple or purplish-pink in hue.
- Argyle Pink Diamonds continue to achieve record prices when they come to the market or are sold through international auction houses.
- Argyle has produced more than 670 million carats since production began, ranging from gem quality to near-gem and industrial stones.
- In its peak year, 1994, the Argyle Mine produced more than 42.8 million carats, or about 43% of global production.
- All diamonds purchased from the Argyle Mine are accompanied by certificates of origin and authenticity.
The Argyle Mine is scheduled to close in 2018. Production has already moved underground, reducing Argyle's yearly yield by 50%. Total run out is expected by 2018.