Leslie Massey
Australia has a long history of mining diamonds, dating back to the gold rushes of the late 1800s. Diamonds have been found in various regions across the country, including Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory. While Australia is not one of the largest diamond exporters globally, it is known for its unique coloured diamonds, particularly the famous pink diamonds from the Argyle mine in Western Australia. So, what should you do if you find a diamond in Australia? Well, first of all, you'll need to determine whether you're on private land, in which case you may need a fossicker's license, but then you can keep your find!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australia's diamond history | Diamonds have been found in Australia since the 1800s, with a long history of mining the precious gemstone. |
| Diamond-rich areas | Diamonds can be found in various areas across Australia, including Western Australia (Argyle and Ellendale mines), Northern Territory (Merlin mine), New South Wales (Bingara region), and Kangaroo Island. |
| Diamond types | Australia is known for its coloured diamonds, especially pink, yellow, orange, sage green, red, and blue diamonds. |
| Diamond mining | Australia has a few large-scale diamond mines, and diamond mining is still commercially active in the country. |
| Diamond quality | While Australia may not have the highest quantity of gem-quality diamonds, the ones that are gem-quality are considered to be of fantastic quality, especially the pink diamonds. |
| Diamond hunting | The Australian government has designated fossicking areas where people can search for gemstones and gold with a license. |
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What You'll Learn
Diamond hunting in Designated Fossicking Areas
One popular Designated Fossicking Area for diamond hunting is O'Brien's Creek in North Queensland. This area is known for its topaz, and diamonds have also been found there. The access road to O'Brien's Creek runs along the western side of the creek, and numerous tracks lead to the sandy creek beds where fossickers can search for gems. Dry sieving in the creek can be a productive way to find diamonds, as well as other gemstones like topaz, quartz crystals, and the rarer aquamarine. The town of Mt. Surprise, located near O'Brien's Creek, offers accommodation options for visitors, including motels, caravan parks, and camping areas.
Another well-known Designated Fossicking Area for diamonds is Oberon, NSW, located about 150km west of Sydney. This small town boasts five unique fossicking sites where visitors can search for sapphires, zircon, gold, and diamonds. For those seeking an adventure, the Blue Hills and McDonald Creek fields are also recommended diamond hunting destinations. These areas can be accessed by 4WD, and visitors should be prepared for a slightly bumpy ride.
It's important to note that a fossicker's license may be required in certain states, such as Queensland, regardless of whether you are fossicking on private land or in a designated area. These licenses can typically be purchased online from the relevant state's Department of Natural Resources, Mines, and Energy for around $75 AU annually. Additionally, some areas, like the Mount Crawford Forest in South Australia, require a specific fossicking permit, which can be obtained from the local forestry authority.
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Diamond mining history in Australia
Diamond mining in Australia has a long history, with the first diamonds recorded in the Bathurst area, New South Wales, in 1851. Significant quantities were also mined from alluvial deposits at Copeton and Bingara, near Inverell in north-eastern New South Wales, from 1867 to 1922. Minor production resumed at Copeton in 1997 but has since stopped.
The discovery of the Argyle diamond mines in 1979 was a key moment in the diamond mining history of Australia. The Argyle Diamond Mine, located in the East Kimberley region in the remote north of Western Australia, was at times the largest diamond producer in the world by volume, supplying a third of the world's diamonds every year. The Argyle deposit contains a large proportion of the world's economic diamond resources and has some of the highest diamond grades globally. The Argyle diamond 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 aged between 1.1 and 1.2 billion years. This represents a relatively short period during which diamond formation could have taken place, which may explain the small average size and unusual physical characteristics of Argyle diamonds.
The Argyle mine was the world's leading 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 famous Argyle pink diamonds were sold in an exclusive, invitation-only sale known as the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender. The mine stopped production in November 2020, after producing approximately 865 million carats, with remaining ores processed for the next six months, followed by a decade of restoration in conjunction with the traditional owners of the lands.
Other notable diamond mines in Australia include the Ellendale diamond mine, also located in Western Australia, which has emerged as one of the world's leading sources of extremely rare yellow (fancy) diamonds. The Merlin diamond mines in the Northern Territory are also significant, with the largest diamond ever found in Australia sourced from this mine, weighing over 104 carats.
In addition to these major mines, Australia has a strong tradition of gemstone hunting, with many people exploring Designated Fossicking Areas to search for diamonds and other gemstones.
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Famous diamond mines in Australia
Australia has been a diamond producer since the nineteenth century. Diamonds were first recorded in the Bathurst area of New South Wales in 1851. Significant quantities were mined from alluvial deposits at Copeton and Bingara, near Inverell in north-eastern New South Wales, from 1867 to 1922. Minor production resumed at Copeton in 1997 but has since stopped. Numerous minor occurrences of diamonds have been recorded elsewhere in Australia.
One of the most famous diamond mines in Australia is the Argyle Diamond Mine, located in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. Argyle was one of the world's largest producers of diamonds and the largest supplier of natural coloured diamonds, including rare pink, red, white, yellow, brown, blue, and violet diamonds. The mine started production in the early 1980s and was, for some years, the world's largest diamond mine by volume. It produced a large quantity of stones each year for the international market, with most being used in industry and approximately 5% being gemstone quality. The Argyle mine is unique in that it produces a dependable supply of rare pink to red diamonds, with over 90% of the world's pink diamond supply coming from this mine. Mining at Argyle ceased in 2020, after 37 years of operation.
Another famous diamond mine in Australia is the Merlin Mine, also located in the Northern Territory. The largest diamond found in Australia so far was mined at the Merlin Mine in 2003 and weighed 104.73 carats. The Ellendale area of Western Australia is also known for diamond mining, with a number of small diamond 'pipes' with a high proportion of gem-quality diamonds being mined there.
In addition to these mines, diamonds have been found at O'Brien's Creek in North Queensland, and the Blue Hills and McDonald Creek fields are popular destinations for those fossicking for diamonds and other gemstones. The Australian Government has set aside 'Designated Fossicking Areas' throughout the country that permit people to search for gemstones and gold, provided they do not interfere with farming activities. A fossicker's license is required in Queensland, whether using private land or digging in a designated area.
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Australian diamonds: colours and patterns
Diamonds are found in a variety of colours and patterns, and Australia has been a source of these precious stones for centuries. The colours and patterns of Australian diamonds can vary, and they can be found in a range of settings across the country.
The colours of Australian diamonds can include the traditional white or colourless diamonds, which are highly valued for their clarity and sparkle. These colourless diamonds, graded D to F, are rare and expensive. They often have a distinct, mirror-like exterior that creates a triangular pattern through their facets. However, Australia is also known for its coloured diamonds, including bright yellow, champagne, cognac, and the highly prized pink diamonds. The Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia was once responsible for 90% of the world's pink diamond exports, but since its closure in 2020, these diamonds have become even more valuable and scarce.
Diamonds in Australia were first recorded in the Bathurst area of New South Wales in 1851. Significant quantities were also mined from alluvial deposits at Copeton and Bingara, near Inverell in north-eastern New South Wales, from 1867 to 1922, with minor production resuming at Copeton in 1997. The Argyle mine in Western Australia, known for its pink diamonds, was a large-scale, open-pit mine that has now transitioned to an underground block cave operation. Diamonds are also found in ' Designated Fossicking Areas' throughout Australia, where people can search for gemstones and gold with the permission of landholders. O'Brien's Creek is one such area where diamonds may be found, as locals attest to the possibility of discovering these precious stones there.
The patterns and shapes of Australian diamonds can vary depending on their cut and natural formation. The cut of a diamond is an important factor in its overall appearance, as certain cuts can enhance the stone's colour and brilliance. The four Cs—cut, colour, carat, and clarity—are crucial considerations when evaluating a diamond's quality and value. The cut of a diamond can also determine its shape, such as the popular brilliant round cut or the step-cut, which includes the emerald and Asscher cuts.
Overall, the colours and patterns of Australian diamonds can vary widely, from the traditional colourless diamonds prized for their clarity to the unique pink diamonds of the Argyle mine. The patterns and shapes of these diamonds are influenced by their natural formation and the skilled craftsmanship involved in their cutting and polishing, resulting in precious stones that captivate and fascinate jewellery enthusiasts worldwide.
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How to identify a diamond
Diamonds are one of the hardest minerals known to man. They have a score of ten on the Mohs scale, and a real diamond will be able to leave a scratch if you rub it against another stone with a similar rank on the scale. A diamond also has a specific gravity, or density, that varies between 3.1 and 3.53 g/ml. This is the ratio of the stone's density to a pure liquid with a thickness of 1 g/ml.
There are several tests you can perform to identify a diamond. One simple test is to fill a standard drinking glass about three-quarters full with water and gently place the loose stone into the glass. A genuine diamond will sink to the bottom due to its high density, while a fake stone will float underneath the surface or at the very top.
Another test is to place a white piece of paper on a flat surface and draw a small dot with a pen. Because a true diamond has powerful refractive qualities, light will bounce in different directions instead of a straight line, and you won't be able to see letters or dots through a natural, real diamond.
You can also perform a thermal absorption test. Diamonds are the best heat absorbers of all gemstones. Diamond testers are hand-held instruments that generate a small amount of heat and measure how quickly the stone absorbs it.
Finally, you can perform a toughness test. Diamonds, whether rough or polished, are incredibly tough.
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Frequently asked questions
The Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia is the country's most well-known diamond mine. Other famous diamond mines in Australia include the Ellendale mine in Western Australia, the Merlin mine in the Northern Territory, and the Bingara mines in New South Wales.
Australia has set aside 'Designated Fossicking Areas' throughout the country that permit people to fossick for gemstones and gold. O'Brien's Creek and the Anakie gem fields in Central Queensland are also popular spots for diamond hunting.
Australian diamonds are known for their intriguing colours and patterns. They come in a variety of colours, including pink, yellow, orange, sage green, blue, white, and champagne.
Kimberlite pipes are volcanic pipes that contain diamonds formed deep within the Earth's mantle millions of years ago. Many Kimberlite pipes have been found in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, making it a significant source of diamonds in the country.
When diamond hunting in Australia, it is important to remember that diamonds have distinct characteristics. They are typically clear and colourless, although they can also be found in various colours, as mentioned earlier. Diamonds are also extremely hard and have a high refractive index, causing them to sparkle intensely.
