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 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.”
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.”
The Latest

The fast-casual chain partnered with Anna Sheffield’s Bing Bang NYC brand on a capsule collection and it’s a little “extra.”

The diamond and tanzanite bracelet was inspired by the waves of the Italian gulf near Genoa.

The home improvement store’s website features an “Empowerment Tools” demi-fine jewelry collection.

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

The show will feature a new pavilion of 30 jewelry designers and manufacturers from Surat, India.


A government official said search crews “found the needle in the haystack” when they located the capsule belonging to Rio Tinto along an 870-mile stretch of road.

Amanda Gizzi welcomes February with a selection of amethyst jewelry, a birthstone that “deserves its own time to shine.”

De Beers is sharing over 130 years of experience and expertise through the De Beers Institute of Diamonds with a selection of courses.

Behind the playful and nostalgic brand lies deeper meaning.

The Time Century Jewelry Center is located in downtown Miami’s jewelry district.

Wariness about the year ahead offset a more positive view of the current economic situation.

The IJO also welcomed one new vendor member to its 13-member board, Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé Jewelry Designs.

It begins with a “t” and ends with a “c” and is imbued with warmth and positivity, Peter Smith writes.

The tiny capsule, which is believed to have fallen out of a truck, was lost somewhere along an 870-mile stretch of desert road.

The jeweler’s expansion plans include 20 to 30 more stores in North America and the Middle East over the next two to three years.

The Italian luxury brand will receive the first Gem Award for High Jewelry Excellence.

Industry veteran Kevin Lane has stepped into the role.

The ancient Egyptian teenager was buried 2,300 years ago with 49 amulets to guide him through the afterlife.

The NRF’s annual survey shows that consumer attitudes about how, or even whether, to celebrate Feb. 14 continue to evolve.

Nominations are open now through March 24.

A column detailing how independent jewelers did last year and the top watch brands of 2022 were among the most-read stories last week.

Acquired in 2021, the brand’s high jewelry sales have doubled and its new “Lock” collection was an instant hit.

Executives from Fred Meyer Jewelers and Riddles Jewelers have filled the roles.

The Victorian-inspired design is a functional lock and key.

For over 100 years, JA New York has played an integral role in facilitating the evolution of our industry, while also honoring past traditions.

The trend forecaster and her guests explored unconventional jewelry designs, NFTs, AI art, and more during her Trendvision presentation.

The Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative provides diamond credit and mentorship to young brands helmed by BIPOC designers.