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From a sprawling ochre-coloured desert terrain to one of the bluest coastlines that rival even that of the Mediterranean, Australia is certainly a country renowned for its natural beauty. So, it should come as no surprise that the land down under is a major exporter of many of the world's natural resources, including beautiful minerals such as opals, pearls, sapphires and diamonds. However, despite Australia's magnificent landscape offering up all kinds of eye-catching gemstones, it is hard to overlook them as a producer of diamonds. Not only do diamonds just generally reign supreme in the jewellery market, but they are also the most popular stone for engagement rings. So, it makes sense that Australia wears their title as a popular diamond exporter with a lot of pride.
Known for producing some incredible varieties of diamonds, something that is almost symbolic of the country's incredibly unique ecosystem, Australian diamonds will always be somewhat of an enigma. Since their discovery by miners sometime in the nineteenth century, the unique characteristics and timeless nature of an Australian diamond are unparalleled. Whether it is an eye-catching diamond ring, an elegant pair of diamond stud earrings or any other type of diamond jewellery for that matter, Australian diamonds make one heck of a conversation piece.
So, where are diamonds found in Australia? Read on to find out and to learn what constitutes a classic Australian diamond.
Overview:
- Where Are Diamonds Found In Australia?
- Argyle Diamond Mine
- Merlin Diamond Mine
- Ellendale Diamond Mine
- What Kind Of Diamonds Are Found In Australia?
Where Are Diamonds Found In Australia?
The sixth-largest country by landmass, the Australian landscape is vast with much of it remaining uninhabited due to the harsh conditions that they produce. Fortunately, these conditions are excellent for a diamond's formation, which requires extreme pressure and heat. This is why you will come across many diamond varieties all over this wonderful country. Since the 1800s, diamonds have been mined in areas including the Bingara region of New South Wales and on Kangaroo Island located in South Australia.
However, the Argyle and Ellendale mines in Western Australia and the Merlin mine located within the Northern Territory make up a significant portion of diamonds for the international market. These three premier diamond mines are the creme de la creme and are held up with high regard in the jewellery industry for producing some of the world's most valuable and high-quality stones ever.
Argyle Diamond Mine
Founded by the mining company, Rio Tinto, the Argyle diamond mine located in remote Western Australia is by far the country's most well-known diamond mine. Opening in 1985, the Argyle mine site stretches 50-hectares and is around 600-metres deep in some areas. At times the world's largest diamond producer, it is estimated that some 14 million carats have been retrieved from this Kimberley mine. South-west of Lake Argyle in the Matsu ranges, miners stumbled across the first Argyle-mined diamond in 1969 after the discovery of small, alluvial diamonds at the nearby Lennard River.
This, however, would not be the first time that diamond miners would attempt to source the King of the Gems in the Argyle region as they had been trying unsuccessfully since the early-1800s. Their luck would eventually turn around and not long after the first few diamond discoveries, Rio Tinto established the Argyle Diamond Mine, the world's first commercial diamond mine not on an ingenious rock but rather on an alluvium pipe that has formed as the result of loose clay, sand or gravel deposits forming over a floodplain due to rainwater running over a streambed. After contributing to Australia's economy for over thirty years, the Argyle mine officially closed in 2020 due to its diamond supply being completely cleared out. This has resulted in some of the more rare gem-quality Argyle diamonds fetching between $140,000 and $180,000 depending on their quality and colour.
Merlin Diamond Mine
Know for its unusually high proportion of gem-quality diamonds at around 65%, the Merlin Diamond Mine can be found 80-kilometres from the township of Boroloola. Founded by Rio Tinto Group, the Merlin mine operated at the turn of the millennium between 2000 and 2003. Despite being only in operation for an incredibly brief period, the mine produced over 500,000 carats (over 100kg) of high-quality diamonds and has a legacy that remains to this day. The mine's significant amount of gem-quality stones has led to Merlin-mined diamonds garnering a significantly higher price tag than other Australian mined diamonds.
The former mine also holds the record for the largest diamond ever found in Australia. Valued at approximately over USD 525,000 (around AUD 730,000) the mammoth type 11a stone measures in at around 104.73-carats or over 20.946 grams and its current whereabouts are currently unknown. Although, it is suggested that the stone remains the property of the mine's new parent company, Striker Resources. Striker Resources which also goes by North Australian Diamonds Limited purchased the defunct mine from Rio Tinto in 2006 where it briefly went into operation again. Since then, the company has hinted at a desire to re-establish the mine for further exploration, especially with the Argyle mine's closure.
Ellendale Diamond Mine
Sitting 100-kilometres from Derby, the Ellendale Diamond Field is a cluster of diamond mines rather than a single mine. Discovered by a group of companies referred to as the Ashton Joint Venture, when some 48 lamproite pipes were positively identified and officially became a mine in 1979 after it was confirmed that they contained diamond fragments following several tests. Following their initial opening, a further two mines were opened in May 2002 and 2005, these mines were referred to as the Ellendale 9 (E9) and Ellendale 4 (E4) and they helped form the vast Ellendale Diamond Field.
Although the diamonds found in the Ellendale Diamond Field were relatively low-grade at 5 to 14 carats per ton, the mine was infamous for its substantial amount of gem-quality diamonds which was an unheard-of amount at around 75-90%. The Ellendale Diamond Field was also famous for its substantial amount of fancy coloured diamonds including the extremely rare yellow and olive-coloured varieties. Referred to as Ellendale Yellow Diamonds, these stones typically contain a shiny, lustrous surface and rounded edges due to having undergone a process referred to as resorption in which the diamond crystals have been partially dissolved in hot magma or plasma during their formation. As a result, these diamonds are typically 50% lighter than they would have originally been. Following a successful 35-plus year run, the Ellendale 9 and Ellendale 4 mines officially ceased operations in 2015.
What Kind Of Diamonds Are Found In Australia?
Known for their intriguing colours and patterns, Australian diamonds bring a lot of uniqueness to your look. Western Australia's now-defunct Argyle mine was primarily known for its extremely rare and vibrant red and pink diamonds which made up over 90% of the world's supply. The mine additionally produced a large portion of high-quality white diamonds, cognac diamonds, champagne diamonds as well as exceptionally rare blue diamonds.
In other parts of the country including South Australia's Eryle Pennisula, Western Australia's Ellendale Mine, New South Wales and Northern Territory's Marlin Mine, everything from enriching canary-yellow and orange stones to enchanting sage green diamonds has been found. Australia may not have the highest amount of gem-quality stones, however, the ones that are gem-quality are generally of fantastic quality, particularly, their pink diamonds. With hues ranging from dusty rose to a light violet colour, Australia's pink stones are an elegant way to add a splash of colour to your look, especially in the form of pink diamond rings and diamond earrings.
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