The Grading of Argyle Pink Diamonds

Argyle pink diamonds are well known the world over, not just for their beauty but their rarity as well. These diamonds make up just 0.01% of the world total production and have been celebrated throughout history as treasures of nobility and prized possessions of the wealthy. While coloured diamonds are usually a result of trace elements within the surrounding ore deposits. The unique pink Argyle diamonds are not coloured as a result of impurity but attain their colour as a result of extreme pressure beneath the earth’s surface. The Argyle diamond mine in the remote area of Kimberley in Western Australia is one of the largest suppliers of pink diamonds in the world.    

Grading of the Diamonds

Argyle pink diamonds are graded into 5 main colour types and this grading is done on the basis of hue, tone and saturation.

Hue – It is the dominant and visible colour of the diamond and sometimes there are modifying colours that affect the hue.

Tone – It is the amount of lightness or darkness in the diamond the range extends from light to dark and usually stones that are too light or dark have a primary colour and are not sought after.

Saturation – It is the strength or intensity of the hue. The saturation of light in diamonds can vary from pastel to vivid and intense. The darker and more intense the colour, the rarer and more valuable the diamond is.