Sourcing

More Than 100 Pink Diamonds Are Now On View

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.

20221107_Argyle Violet close-up.jpg
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 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 … 

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

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman

Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.

Jamie Turner Victoria Labradorite Necklace
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

Stock image of the U.S. Supreme Court
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Patrick Mahomes Hublot campaign
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand Ambassador

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.

Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
gia-edu main image.png
Supplier BulletinSep 04, 2025
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Sponsored by GIA

A street in Carlsbad California
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Shot from Breitling new NFL campaign
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Autumn 2025
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in November

NYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Claire’s storefront
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to Close

A new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.

Stuller’s Tools, Equipment, & Metals and Findings & Metals Catalogs
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs

The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”

Effy Jewelry Multicolor Sapphire Bangle
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect Birthstone

Sapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.

Woman with hands crossed wearing jewelry
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 Sales

The retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.

Jean-Christophe Bédos Birks
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps Down

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.

Harry Winston Ginza Flagship Exterior, Interior
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in Japan

The three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.

All Hours: Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry x Oak and Luna Campaign Imagery
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ Collab

The collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.

Sothebys The Desert Rose orangy pink diamond collectors week
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

Calvin Klein watch and jewelry campaign
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff Impact

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

Mark Davis Bullseye Necklace
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Image #1_Resized.png
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and Coaching

Sponsored by Clientbook

GIA’s new report for lab-grown diamonds
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

Botswana President Duma Boko
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales Slump

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Afton Robertson-Kanne Borsheims
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry Buyer

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis Students

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

Taylor Swift Engaged
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond Cuts

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.

11,685-carat Imboo emerald
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem Mine

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy