Lexi Webster
Australia has a long history of mining diamonds, with the gemstones discovered in various parts of the country since the gold rushes of the late 1800s. The Kimberley region in Western Australia has been a prolific source of diamonds since the 1980s, with the Argyle mine in the east producing a range of colours from white to rare pinks and blues. The Ellendale mine in Western Australia is another major source of diamonds, known for its yellow diamonds. Other diamond deposits have been found in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and the Northern Territory, although these are generally smaller in scale.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diamond sources in Australia | Ellendale in Western Australia, Argyle diamond mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Copeton and Bingara in New South Wales, Kangaroo Island in South Australia, the Merlin mine in the Northern Territory |
| Diamond exports from Australia | Not one of the biggest diamond exporters in the world |
| Diamond mining history in Australia | Discoveries since the gold rushes of the late 1800s, Eureka diamond discovered in 1867, large-scale mines appeared in the early 1900s |
| Diamond colours from Australia | Pink, Yellow, White, Brown, Blue, Orange, Green |
| Diamond quality from Australia | Gem, near-gem, industrial, boart |
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What You'll Learn
Diamonds found in Western Australia
Diamonds have been mined in Australia since the nineteenth century. The vast Australian landscape, the sixth-largest by landmass, is largely uninhabited due to harsh conditions, but these conditions are excellent for diamond formation, which requires extreme pressure and heat.
Diamonds have been found in Western Australia's Ellendale area since 1976. The Ellendale Diamond Field is a cluster of diamond mines located 100 kilometres from Derby. The Ellendale mine in the west Kimberley region is known for its production of yellow diamonds, contributing approximately 50% of the world's production of high-quality fancy yellow diamonds.
The Argyle diamond mine, located in the remote Kimberley region in the far northeast of Western Australia, is the country's most well-known diamond mine. It is the world's largest volume producer of diamonds, supplying a third of the world's diamonds annually. The Argyle mine is the only known significant source of pink and red diamonds, producing over 90% of the world's supply. It also produces a large proportion of other naturally coloured diamonds, including white (colourless), yellow, brown ('champagne' and 'cognac'), and rare blue diamonds. The Argyle mine has produced approximately 865 million carats of rough diamonds, with an estimated total of 14 million carats retrieved.
The Argyle mine is also notable for being the first successful commercial diamond mine exploiting a volcanic pipe of lamproite rather than the more usual kimberlite pipe. The diamonds found at the Argyle pipe have been dated to about 1.58 billion years old, while the volcano that created the pipe is estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.2 billion years old.
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Diamond mining history in Australia
Australia has a rich history of diamond mining. The country is known for its supply of special coloured or "fancy" diamonds, which come from the legendary Argyle mines in the East Kimberley region. The first gemstone diamond discovered in Australia was the Eureka Diamond in 1867, which was over 21 carats in its uncut state.
The discovery of the Argyle diamond mines in 1979 was a pivotal moment in Australia's diamond mining history. The Argyle mine, located in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia, became one of the world's largest producers of diamonds and the primary source of natural coloured diamonds. The mine was unique in that it exploited a volcanic pipe of lamproite rather than the typical kimberlite pipe. The diamonds found at the Argyle pipe have been dated to approximately 1.58 billion years old, while the volcano that created the pipe is estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.2 billion years old. This relatively short period of diamond formation, approximately 400 million years, may explain the small size and unique characteristics of Argyle diamonds.
The Argyle mine was owned and operated by Rio Tinto and produced over 865 million carats of rough diamonds during its 37 years of operation. The mine was notable for its use of advanced technology, such as X-ray sorting, to efficiently identify and collect small diamonds. The Argyle Diamond Tender, an exclusive invitation-only sale, offered a small collection of the finest pink diamonds from the mine each year. The mine also produced rare blue diamonds, with the "Once in a Blue Moon" collection being a notable example.
In addition to the Argyle mine, other significant diamond sources in Australia include the Ellendale diamond mine, also located in Western Australia. Ellendale is known for its production of extremely rare yellow "fancy" diamonds, contributing approximately 50% of the world's supply. The major diamond pits, E4 and E9, began mining operations in the 2000s.
The Merlin diamond mines in the Northern Territory have also yielded significant findings, with the largest diamond ever discovered in Australia weighing over 104 carats.
Australia's diamond mining history is characterised by stock-market booms and battles, with the search for diamonds in the Kimberley region following the Poseidon boom in the 1960s. The battle for control of remote Australian mines, such as the competition between Rio Tinto and De Beers, transformed the global diamond industry.
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Diamond exports from Australia
Diamonds have been mined in Australia since the nineteenth century. The unique characteristics and timeless nature of Australian diamonds are unparalleled, making them a great conversation piece. Diamonds are found all over the country, thanks to the extreme pressure and heat that the landscape provides, which is perfect for their formation.
The Argyle mine in Western Australia is the country's most well-known diamond mine. It was the world's largest producer of diamonds, supplying a third of the world's diamonds annually. The Argyle mine site stretches 50 hectares and is around 600 metres deep in some areas. It is estimated that around 14 million carats have been retrieved from this Kimberley mine. The mine is also known for its rare red and pink diamonds, which made up over 90% of the global supply. It also produced a large number of high-quality white, cognac, champagne, and blue diamonds.
In 2022, Australia exported $217 million worth of diamonds, making it the 25th largest exporter of diamonds in the world. The main destinations for Australian diamond exports are the United States ($47 million), Hong Kong ($37.2 million), Australia ($27.8 million), Singapore ($26.3 million), and Botswana ($15.7 million). The Ellendale mines in Western Australia, the Bingara region of New South Wales, and the Merlin mine in the Northern Territory also contribute significantly to the international diamond market.
Australia's diamond exports have experienced a decline in value per carat in recent years. In 2023, the value was $139.93 USD per carat, down from $1778.82 USD per carat in 2021. This is significantly higher than the global average of $117.50 USD per carat. Overall, Australia accounts for a small percentage of global diamond exports, with most exports coming from Asia, North America, and Europe.
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Diamond colours found in Australia
Australia is a major exporter of beautiful minerals such as opals, pearls, sapphires, and diamonds. The Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia, which opened in 1985, is the world's largest volume producer of diamonds, supplying a third of the world's diamonds annually. The Argyle mine is also the biggest source of pink diamonds globally, accounting for around 90% of the world's supply. These pink diamonds exhibit hues ranging from dusty rose to light violet. The Argyle mine also produced a large portion of high-quality white diamonds, cognac diamonds, champagne diamonds, and rare blue diamonds.
The Ellendale Diamond Field, located 100 kilometres from Derby, is a cluster of diamond mines that include the Ellendale 4 and Ellendale 9 mines. These mines were known for producing yellow diamonds, which are worth more than colourless diamonds. The Ellendale mines also produced orange diamonds.
The Bingara region of New South Wales, where diamonds were first discovered in 1872, is another source of yellow diamonds in Australia. The Copeton/Bingara area of the New England tableland in northern New South Wales has been the most consistently mined area for diamonds in the region.
The Merlin Diamond Mine in the Northern Territory is known for its unusually high proportion of gem-quality diamonds, at around 65%.
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Diamond mines in Australia
Australia is one of the top producers of natural resources in the world, with a strong presence in coal, iron, ore and other commodities. The country's vast landscape and diverse geography provide the perfect environment for the mining of rare minerals, including diamonds.
The first diamond discovery in Australia was recorded in New South Wales around 1851, during the gold rush in that region. Diamonds were discovered in the Bingara region of New South Wales in 1872 by gold prospectors, and the area has been mined intermittently since then. The most productive mine in the area was the Monte Christo. The Copeton/Bingara area of the New England tableland in northern New South Wales has been the most consistently mined. Diamonds have also been found in the Ellendale area of Western Australia.
The Argyle diamond mine, located in the East Kimberley region in the remote north of Western Australia, is one of the most prolific diamond mines in the world. It was the world's largest diamond producer by volume, with an estimated 14 million carats retrieved from the site. The Argyle mine site stretches over 50 hectares and is around 600 metres deep in some areas. The mine was the only known significant source of pink and red diamonds, producing over 90% of the world's supply. It also provided a large proportion of other naturally coloured diamonds, including champagne, cognac, and rare blue diamonds. The Argyle Diamond Mine remains one of history's most important diamond discoveries, producing diamonds with a depth, range, and intensity of colour never seen before or since.
The Ellendale Diamond Field is a cluster of diamond mines located 100 kilometres from Derby. The Ellendale 9 and Ellendale 4 mines officially ceased operations in 2015. These mines were known for producing intriguing colours and patterns, with Australian diamonds bringing a unique look to the market.
The Merlin diamond mine, located in the Northern Territory, produced the largest diamond ever found in Australia, weighing over 104 carats.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, diamonds are found in Australia.
Diamonds have been found in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory. The Argyle diamond mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is the world's largest volume producer of diamonds and has been the primary source of pink diamonds.
Diamonds have been found in Australia since the 1800s. The Eureka diamond, Australia's first gemstone, was discovered in 1867.
Australian diamonds are known for their intriguing colours and patterns. They are typically coloured pink, yellow, white, brown, blue, and orange.
Diamonds are used for both jewellery and industry, making them highly valuable.
