SourcingOct 24, 2022
Nearly 48-Carat ‘Pink Eternity’ Diamond Recovered From Kao Mine SourcingNov 07, 2022
More Than 100 Pink Diamonds Are Now On View
L.J. West Diamonds has collaborated with the Melbourne Museum to mount an exhibition of the rarest stones from the now-closed Argyle mine.
The 2.83-carat “Argyle Violet” diamond, set into a ring and surrounded by Argyle pink diamonds, is among the jewelry and loose diamonds on display for the “Pink Diamonds” exhibition, running now through January 2023 at the Melbourne Museum.
Melbourne, Australia—Over the weekend, an exhibition opened at the Melbourne Museum showcasing one, and only one, type of gemstone—pink diamonds from Australia’s now-closed Argyle mine.
The exhibition is a collaboration between Museums Victoria, which operates three state-owned museums in Melbourne, and New York-based L.J. West Diamonds, one of the largest collectors of natural colored diamonds in the world.
Owner Larry West told National Jeweler the exhibition, which is titled simply “Pink Diamonds,” is comprised of more than 100 jewels—mostly loose stones with a few pieces of jewelry mixed in—that either belong to him or that he’s borrowed back from clients.
The centerpiece is the stone West describes as “the Picasso of the collection” and is, he contends, the rarest diamond in the world—the 2.83-carat “Argyle Violet.”
West purchased the diamond for an undisclosed amount at the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, Rio Tinto’s once-annual sale of the top diamonds to emerge from the mine. He had it set into a platinum ring and surrounded by a halo of smaller Argyle pinks.
The diamond stands as the largest violet diamond to ever emerge from Argyle, weighing twice as much as the second largest, the 1.41-carat “Ocean Seer” from the 2008 tender.
West said research, including a study by GIA, has revealed the violet-colored diamonds from Argyle contain hydrogen, nitrogen and traces of nickel.
He said this sets them apart from other natural color diamonds, with their violet hue more reminiscent of the violet found in Kashmir sapphires than in any other diamond.
Violet stones with high color saturation are rarely found in sizes larger than half a carat, making the nearly 3-carat Argyle Violet, which GIA graded a fancy deep grayish-bluish violet, all the more unusual.
“The chemistry and physics behind the color are unique to the Argyle mine,” West said. “You could make the argument, this is the rarest diamond in the world.”
The exhibition is a collaboration between Museums Victoria, which operates three state-owned museums in Melbourne, and New York-based L.J. West Diamonds, one of the largest collectors of natural colored diamonds in the world.
Owner Larry West told National Jeweler the exhibition, which is titled simply “Pink Diamonds,” is comprised of more than 100 jewels—mostly loose stones with a few pieces of jewelry mixed in—that either belong to him or that he’s borrowed back from clients.
The centerpiece is the stone West describes as “the Picasso of the collection” and is, he contends, the rarest diamond in the world—the 2.83-carat “Argyle Violet.”
West purchased the diamond for an undisclosed amount at the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, Rio Tinto’s once-annual sale of the top diamonds to emerge from the mine. He had it set into a platinum ring and surrounded by a halo of smaller Argyle pinks.
The diamond stands as the largest violet diamond to ever emerge from Argyle, weighing twice as much as the second largest, the 1.41-carat “Ocean Seer” from the 2008 tender.
West said research, including a study by GIA, has revealed the violet-colored diamonds from Argyle contain hydrogen, nitrogen and traces of nickel.
He said this sets them apart from other natural color diamonds, with their violet hue more reminiscent of the violet found in Kashmir sapphires than in any other diamond.
Violet stones with high color saturation are rarely found in sizes larger than half a carat, making the nearly 3-carat Argyle Violet, which GIA graded a fancy deep grayish-bluish violet, all the more unusual.
“The chemistry and physics behind the color are unique to the Argyle mine,” West said. “You could make the argument, this is the rarest diamond in the world.”
The “Argyle Violet” on display for “Pink Diamonds” at the Melbourne Museum
The “Argyle Thea,” a 2.24-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond, is among the loose stones in the exhibition. Sold as part of the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, it is the largest VS2 radiant-cut diamond ever mined at Argyle.
The 1.01-carat fancy purplish red “Leela Gera Red Princess”
The “Argyle Ballerina” pin, another one of the pieces of jewelry included in the exhibition, features a 1.13-carat heart-shaped fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond.
The “Australian Rose” earrings feature matching round fancy intense pink diamonds.
The Argyle Violet will be displayed alongside a number of its fellow “hero” stones that West purchased from past Argyle Pink Diamond tenders.
There is the radiant-cut “Argyle Thea,” a 2.24-carat fancy vivid purplish pink; the 1.02-carat fancy red shield-shaped “Super Hero” diamond; the “Leela Gera Red Princess,” a 1.01-carat fancy purplish red princess cut; and the 2.01-carat fancy vivid pink “Argyle Hidden Princess,” another princess-cut diamond.
Jewelry included in the exhibition includes the “Argyle Ballerina,” a pin featuring a 1.13-carat heart-shaped fancy vivid purplish pink diamond, and the “Australian Rose,” a pair of platinum and 18-karat gold earrings with matching 0.51- and 0.52-carat fancy intense pink centers.
Related stories will be right here …
There is the radiant-cut “Argyle Thea,” a 2.24-carat fancy vivid purplish pink; the 1.02-carat fancy red shield-shaped “Super Hero” diamond; the “Leela Gera Red Princess,” a 1.01-carat fancy purplish red princess cut; and the 2.01-carat fancy vivid pink “Argyle Hidden Princess,” another princess-cut diamond.
Jewelry included in the exhibition includes the “Argyle Ballerina,” a pin featuring a 1.13-carat heart-shaped fancy vivid purplish pink diamond, and the “Australian Rose,” a pair of platinum and 18-karat gold earrings with matching 0.51- and 0.52-carat fancy intense pink centers.
Pink Diamonds opened Nov. 5 at the Melbourne Museum and will run through Jan. 29.
Access to the exhibition is free with museum entry. For more information and tickets, visit the museum’s website.
West has done similar exhibitions in the United States in the past.
From December 2016 to March 2017, he loaned natural color diamonds, including the Argyle Violet, for an exhibition at Los Angeles’ Natural History Museum titled “Diamonds: Rare Brilliance.”
If he were to do another one in the U.S., West said it would be more expansive than what’s currently on display in Melbourne, encompassing diamonds in all hues from all over the world.
“Pink Diamonds” was put together specifically for the people of Australia as a nod to the legacy of the Argyle Diamond Mine, which closed permanently in November 2020 after 37 years of operation.
“I feel like this the legacy of Australia,” West said. “There will never be a mine like this in the history of the Earth. It was a blip in history and [the diamonds are] what we have to remember it by.
“They are just beautiful, incredible stones.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
