Formed in luscious hues that mimic many of the colours found in the iconic Australian landscape, Australian Diamonds are a window into just some of the beauty that our stunning country has to offer. While Australia is commonly associated with the opal gemstone (for which we are the main exporter), our diamond jewellery definitely holds its own in the accessories market, particularly our fancy-coloured diamonds. For years the Australian diamond has been lauded by some of the world’s biggest jewellery brands and sought after by shoppers with a penchant for luxury diamonds in the brightest shades. Our diamonds are so iconic and synonymous with style and grace that there is even a national netball team named after them.
As an Australian-owned and operated jeweller, homegrown diamonds will always have a special place in our hearts. Not only does our collection of Australian diamond jewellery allow us to support local suppliers, but it gives us the chance to offer our customers diamonds in some of the most beautiful shades from champagne gold and cognac brown all the way to pink diamond jewellery. Aussie diamonds are also so unique and enigmatic that it is almost impossible not to fall for them, and so if you’re lucky enough to own one, it is guaranteed that it will be something you cherish forever.
So, what constitutes an Australian diamond exactly, and why are they so special? Read on to find all that out and more in our thorough look into Australian diamonds.
Overview:
- Where Are Australian Diamonds Found?
- What To Look For When Purchasing Australian Diamonds
- Our Favourite Australian Diamonds
Where Are Australian Diamonds Found?
Diamonds have been mined in Australia since the nineteenth century. With over 340,000 carats mined in the nation annually, Australia is often ranked among the top ten diamond producers in the world. It is an honour bestowed on very few, with countries including Russia, Botswana, Canada, South Africa, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo making up the bulk of the world’s supply. And while Australia may not be responsible for as much as 30% of the world’s supply like Russia, Australian diamonds are still a significant part of the jewellery world. However, on a quality basis rather than quantity.
So, where are Australian diamonds found?
The Ellendale Diamond Mine
Western Australia is an area synonymous with its diamond mines. The state is home to the Ellendale Diamond Field, a cluster of lamproite intrusions located east-south-east of Derby-a township in the Kimberly region. The Ellen Diamond Field opened its first mine in 1979 when a group of companies known as Ashton Joint Venture discovered 48 lamproite pipes containing diamond fragments. Although the number of diamonds was not as high as in some other mining regions in the country, the mine stood out because of its substantial amount of gem-quality diamond deposits which was around 75-90%. This was unheard of for the time and quickly put stones found in the Ellendale Diamond Field in high demand.
Quality isn’t the only thing the Western Australian mine became known for, as it is also highly regarded for its fancy-coloured and yellow diamonds. Known for their radiant sunny hue, shiny, lustrous surface and slightly domed shape, Ellendale Fancy Yellow Diamonds quickly become a signature for the mine. Many of the stones produced at the Ellendale mine have this unique appearance as they have undergone a process known as resorption where the diamond crystals have been partially dissolved in hot magma or plasma during their journey to the surface of the earth. This often results in them being 50% lighter than they were initially. Between 2009 and 2015, Tiffany & Co had exclusive rights to 100$ of the fancy yellow diamonds produced by the Ellendale mine so that they could use them for everything from earrings to diamond engagement rings.
The Argyle Diamond Mine
The most well-known producer of Australian diamonds is arguably the Argyle Diamond Mine. Located in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia, the Argyle mine was at times the world’s biggest producer of diamonds. Contrary to the Ellendale Diamond Field which was known for its exceptionally high-quality diamond deposits, the Argyle mine stood out for its quantity and produced over 14 million carats worth in 2018 alone. Civilians first discovered diamond deposits in this area during the nineteenth century when prospecting for gold, however, no source of volcanic pipe deposits was apparent at the time so it was treated as a one-one discovery. It wouldn’t be until 1979 when British gemologist, Maureen Muggeridge who was employed by Ellendale’s Ashton Joint Venture at the time, discovered diamond samples in the floodplain of a small creek that flowed through Lake Argyle. Muggeridge then traced the source of the diamonds to the headwaters of Smoke Creek where eventually the argyle pipeline was discovered and a mine was established around it.
Brightly coloured red and pink diamonds became a staple for the Argyle Mine, for which they remain the world’s one and only supplier. As a result, pink and red argyle diamonds remain extremely coveted among jewellers and jewellery enthusiasts with even the smallest amounts of the stones fetching thousands of dollars. Adding to the mystique is the fact that only 1% of the diamonds found at the Argyle mine feature this pink hue but account for over 90% of the world’s pink diamonds. Many diamond enthusiasts would call it a privilege to own a pink diamond not only for their rarity of them but because of their beauty. Coming in an array of district pink hues, stones found in the Argyle mine can range from a soft baby pink all the way to violet and hot pink fascia, which is arguably the most popular. The fascination with Argyle’s pink diamonds has only become louder since the mine officially ceased operations in 2020, with owners Rio Tinto planning to decommission and rehabilitate the site in 2025.
Other Locations Australian Diamonds Are Found
Despite being home to some of the most sought-after stones, Western Australia is not the only player in Australia’s highly-lucrative diamond industry. In fact, the largest ever diamond found in the country was located in Australia’s top-end. Weighing approximately 103.73 carats, Australia’s biggest-ever diamond found on record was discovered in 2003 at the now-decommissioned Merlin Mine. Located 80 kilometres south of the Borroloola township, the Merlin Mine was home to a disproportionately high number of gem-quality diamonds with around 65% being deemed gem-quality and a further 35% being classified near gem-quality. To put this in perspective, 20% is the average for gem-quality diamonds produced worldwide. However, what the Merlin Mine boasted in quality lacked in quantity, and as a result, the mine was abandoned within three years of its operations. Over its unusually short lifetime, the Merlin Mine produced around 500,000 carats of high-quality diamonds.
In the early stages of Australia’s diamond trade, significant diamond deposits were found in the Bathurst area of New South Wales around the year 1851. Large quantities of the stone were also found in alluvial deposits at Copeton and Bignara near Inverell, New South Wales and following this discovery, a small mine operated in the area between 1867 and 1922. Down south, diamond deposits have been found in large quantities and of a high-quality in the Erye Penninsula, the Truro township, Terowie, Radium Hill, Port Augusta, Abminga, Eurelia and Mulgathing, northwest of Tarcoola. Diamonds were first found in the region in 1959 when gold prospectors came across diamond deposits near the Enchunga township which is located 34 kilometres southeast of Adelaide. 200 micro diamonds (50 of which were saleworthy) were subsequently found in the region until 1922.
What To Look For When Purchasing Australian Diamonds
What draws a lot of people to Australian diamonds is not just their unique colours, but also their history and rarity. Owning an Australian diamond is almost like owning a part of our country’s history and serves as a great reminder of all the beauty it has to offer. As a result, deciding to take the plunge on an Australian diamond is an investment in your style that definitely pays off. However, while many Australian diamonds tick all the boxes, that’s not to say you shouldn’t pay attention to all the usual aspects of diamond buying.
Whether you are shopping for a diamond ring, a stylish pendant or a classic pair of diamond stud earrings, this is what to look for when purchasing Australian diamonds.
The Shape
If you’ve been hunting for the perfect stone for a while, chances are that you have read about the four Cs. The four Cs are the characteristics that every diamond should have: cut, clarity, colour and carat. If you haven’t heard of them, it’s no biggie, we've written all about them in many of our articles so you don't have to do the hard yards. If you are keen for your diamond to retain its value over time, it is important that you pay attention as the four Cs can make or break any stone. And in the case of an Australian diamond, they bedazzle it further by making the colour and cut all the more unique, which, of course, changes (for the better!) the way light is refracted by the diamond, making it all the more sparkling. The shape of a diamond is officially referred to as the cut. All diamonds start life as a rough shape, very much like a rock. It is then up to a jeweller to polish the stone into one of the many diamond cuts out there. The diamond's cut not only affects the design of the stone, but also the way it sparkles with some shapes providing more brilliance than others because of the facets required to cut it into that shape.
Learn More: Diamond Buyers Guide
The Colour
One of the most important Cs is colour. No matter how large and how expensive the diamond is— unless it has got the fabulous colour that gives it the true shine, your diamond is not going to be able to pull through. However, the Australian Diamond brings a uniqueness that no other diamond in the crowd does. By some trick of nature, it is coloured in the most elegant and mystical ways! This tiny, rare percentage of diamonds appears in different shades of pink and is one of the most valuable in the world today. This is because while pink gemstones like morganite are available rampantly, very few people can boast a pink diamond — because there are only a few that exist in the first place! And while a diamond's lack of colour can make the stone more expensive, in the case of coloured diamonds, the price is based on just how vibrant it is. Hence, why it would be super rare to come across diamonds with the same hue as a gemstone, it would probably cost you a small fortune. Price tag aside, however, you can't deny the vibrance and uniqueness of a coloured stone such as pink diamond jewellery or the playfulness would bring to your look. Not to mention it's a stunningly quirky little gem that passes the Cs with flying colours (see what we did there?!).
The Style & Setting
While Australian Diamonds stand out pretty well on their own, no outfit is ever complete without accessories and this is something that applies to these homegrown beauties too. Whether it's an engagement ring, a pair of everyday earrings or a statement pendant, the jewellery that you pair with your Australian Diamond can either hinder or compliment it. With that said, it is important to find a style that shows off its natural beauty and brilliance. Choosing the right setting for your diamond is imperative in this case. While their colour appears striking with any metal you adorn it with, champagne and cognac diamonds really shine when paired with rose gold or yellow gold jewellery, no matter whether it's gold-filled or gold-plated. On the contrary, we love the contrast between pink Australian diamonds and silver or white gold jewellery. In terms of the actual design of the setting, we believe these stones have a lasting impact when a 'less is more' approach is used. Think - diamond solitaire engagement rings, halo settings that accentuate Australian diamonds using dainty white diamonds, playful shapes such as pears and hearts, or even classic stud earrings and simple hoop earrings.
Shop Our Favourite Australian Diamonds
From cognac-coloured diamond hoop earrings and playful diamond pendants to champagne diamond solitaire engagement rings and everything in between, Shiels has an extensive collection of Australian diamond jewellery. Complementing all styles, aesthetics and personality types, the Australian Diamond range is bursting with timelessness and playful charm. Find out for yourself by shopping some of our favourite Australian diamonds below.
9ct Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring With 1 Carat Australian Diamond
$4,899.30
$6,999.00
A 9ct Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring With 1 Carat Australian Diamond to love and adore. This gorgeous piece is woven from a durable 9ct yellow gold with a beautiful shine and long-lasting durability. A white gold setting holds an earthy… read more
