Pink Diamond – Page 19 – The Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA)

Argyle revenues soar to decade high as mine closure nears

Rio Tinto’s fading Argyle diamond mine looks set to go out on a high, after posting its best financial performance in years.

Diamond markets are notoriously opaque, and Argyle’s performance cannot be gleaned through the financial results Rio reports every six months.

But new filings with the Australian Securities and Exchange Commission (ASIC) reveal revenues at Argyle, which is scheduled to close in 2020, surged to their highest levels in a decade in 2018.

The $370.6 million of revenue generated was 26 per cent higher than in 2017 and was the highest revenue reported by Argyle since 2008.

The improved financial performance was not constrained to revenue; the $148.4 million of cash flow from operations was virtually double the 2017 result, almost quadruple the 2016 result and the best since 2015.

The revenue and cash flow surge came, perversely, in a year when Argyle processed 10 per cent more ore than in 2017, but produced 18 per cent fewer diamonds; a situation that normally implies higher unit costs and poorer financial performance.

It is understood the big increase in revenue was driven by higher sales volumes in 2018 compared to previous years.

Revenue was also boosted by a stronger US currency and improving prices for the pink diamonds Argyle produces, which are tipped to enjoy greater scarcity value as the mine’s closure draws near.

Higher diamond sales in a year when Argyle’s diamond production slumped highlights the sort of opacity that makes diamond markets difficult for investors to predict.

Diamond production likely to be lower
While Argyle’s closure in 2020 appears certain, it is unclear whether Rio has built a sufficient war chest of pink diamonds to continue its annual pink diamond tender beyond the end of the mine’s life.

Rio keeps diamond pricing confidential, but within the past year the company’s diamond boss, Arnaud Soirat, has pointed to recent public auctions in which Argyle pink diamonds sold for more than $US1 million per carat.

Argyle’s revenue and cash flow surge belied the $128.6 million loss before tax that was reported to ASIC last week by the Rio subsidiary that owns the mine.

That loss was heavily influenced by a $145.4 million non-cash expense related to the closure of the mine.

Diamond production at Argyle looks set to be lower again in 2019 if the first quarter is any guide; production in the three months to March 31 was 22 per cent lower than in the same period of 2019, and 13 per cent lower than in the final three months of 2018.

The rare insight to Argyle’s financial performance comes as Rio directors and executive management fly into Western Australia this week for the company’s annual meeting of Australian shareholders on Thursday.

Chairman Simon Thompson has urged shareholders to vote against a resolution put forward by climate campaigners, which would compel Rio to set targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The resolution explicitly calls for reduction targets linked to scope 3 emissions; the emissions generated by the companies Rio sells its products to.

Such a target would include Asian steelmakers, which create significant emissions when they blend Rio’s flagship product, Australian iron ore, with coking coal to make steel.

Mr Thompson has argued that emissions generated by such customers are beyond the control of Rio, and therefore the company cannot set such targets.

Source: afr.com

Graff breaks Letšeng record with pink diamond

London jeweller Graff has acquired what founder Laurence Graff, a man known by his moniker The King of Diamonds, has described as “the most vivid pink rough diamond I have ever seen”.

The incredibly rare 13.33ct pink diamond was unearthed at the Letšeng mine in Lesotho, Africa, by miner Gem Diamonds in February. The Letšeng mine is famed for its high yield of very valuable and large rough diamonds.

While the diamonds to emerge from Letšeng consistently achieve the highest price per carat of any rough diamonds in the world, Graff has set a new record with the acquisition of the 13.33ct pink diamond. The stone, which has since been named the Graff Lesotho Pink, was purchased by Graff for US$8.75 million, making it the most expensive diamond on a dollar per carat basis to ever have emerged from the mine.

“This is the most vivid pink rough diamond I have ever seen, and it is an exceptionally rare treasure,” said Mr Graff. “We are renowned for cutting and polishing exceptional diamonds, and I am sure the polished diamond that comes from this rough will be an auspicious addition to our roll call of famous gems. It is an enormous privilege to own this natural miracle. We may never see anything like it again.”

The Graff Lesotho Pink diamond is now in the hands of Graff’s master diamond cutters, who will assess the rough stone’s potential and decide what are the optimum cut to make out of the rough will be.

Source:jewellerycut

Lucapa to Sell Large Stones

Lucapa Diamond Company will sell six large stones weighing a total of 449 carats from its Lulo mine in Angola after an overhaul of the nation’s mining laws prompted it to delay the sale, it said.

The Angolan government introduced reforms to its diamond sector in the first half of the year to help boost foreign investment. Those measures included a new marketing policy for Angolan diamonds, and the option of offering goods for sale in locations such as Antwerp.

Anticipating the changes, Lucapa has been holding back a selection of large stones from previous sales, and will now sell them under the new policy, it explained Friday. These include six type IIa white diamonds weighing 114 carats, 85 carats, 75 carats, 70 carats, 62 carats and 43 carats, as well as a 46-carat pink diamond.

“The discussions with our Angolan partners regarding the policy changes taking place in the Angolan diamond sector have reached a stage where we are now able to plan for the sale of these large, premium-value Lulo diamonds held over from previous sales,” Lucapa managing director Stephen Wetherall said. “We look forward to marketing these exceptional diamonds as soon as the necessary arrangements are put in place to continue showcasing Angolan diamonds to the world.”

The decision to delay the tender for those stones had a negative impact on Lucapa’s first-half results, the company added. Its losses grew to $4.6 million for the period, versus a loss of $1.2 million a year earlier.

Even so, Lucapa’s sales rose 3% year on year to $15.9 million in the first half, while production for the same period climbed 15% to 9,566 carats. The average price of rough diamonds from Lulo rose 1% to $1,642 per carat. Rough-diamond inventory from the asset grew 61% year on year to 2,755 carats as of June 30, the miner reported.

Lucapa’s most recent sale of 2,531 carats of rough from Lulo fetched $2.5 million, achieving an average price of $985 per carat, the company noted.

Image: 46-carat pink Lulo diamond. Credit: Lucapa.

Source: Diamonds.net

Lucapa recovers large pink diamond in Angola

The company announced that it has recovered a 46 carat pink diamond from the Lulo diamond project in Angola, a source of a series of high carat discoveries in recent years.

What makes this particular find significant for Lucapa is its location. The 46 carat rough diamond was recovered from a new prospect Mining Block 4, an area planned for resource delineation later this year and set to be included in Lucapa’s alluvial JORC resource update to be published in the coming months.

$42M Expected For Pink Diamond At Christie’s Auction

An Oval Cut Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond goes under the hammer at the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale this month.

The 14.93 carat Type IIa VVS1 clarity Oval Diamond, named the Pink Promise is estimated to sell for between $28 million to $42 million USD.

37 carat Pink Diamond Up for Sale

Sotheby’s Auctioneers announced the upcoming auction of the Raj Pink diamond.

Weighing 37.30 carats the Pink diamond is the largest Fancy Intense Pink Diamond, according to Sotheby’s.

The Pink Diamond will feature at the auction house’s Magnificent Jewels in Geneva next month, and is estimated to fetch $20 million to $30 million USD.

The Original Rough Diamond was studied for over a year before the master cutter finished the polished Raj Pink Modified Cushion Brilliant cut

Alrosa Russian Diamond Miner Recovers 27.85 carat pink diamond

Exceptional Large Pink Diamond Discovered in Russia Could Be Most Expensive ever by Alrosa

Alrosa Diamond Mining is examining the rough and will decide on whether to sell it as a rough diamond, or cut and polish it in house.

The Rough Diamond is high quality and could make it Alrosa’s most expensive diamond if it decides to cut and polished the stone.

Chief Executive Officer Sergey Ivanov said Alrosa has mainly focused on rough diamond mining, will increase revenues from its polishing unit.

July, 2017February, 2025

Rough Diamond

A rough diamond is a diamond in its natural state, exactly as it is found deep within the Earth. It has not yet undergone any form of cutting, polishing, or alteration. Rough diamonds are typically irregular in shape, with a variety of textures, colours, and surface conditions, ranging from clear and transparent to opaque and coloured.

These diamonds are generally discovered in kimberlite pipes (volcanic formations) or alluvial deposits (water-worn areas), and they are extracted through a process of mining. Once found, rough diamonds are carefully sorted and graded based on their size, shape, colour, and clarity before they are sent to gem cutters for transformation into polished stones.

Key Characteristics of Rough Diamonds
Shape:

Rough diamonds are typically irregular, with shapes that can range from octahedral (two pyramidal shapes joined together) to dodecahedral (a 12-sided form). These shapes are determined by the crystal structure of the diamond and can vary widely.
The rough shape is not intended for jewellery, and the gem cutters will plan how to cut the stone based on its natural geometry to maximise yield and minimise waste.
Colour:

Rough diamonds can appear in a wide range of colours, from colourless and transparent to shades of yellow, brown, or even rare colours such as blue, green, or pink.
The final colour of the diamond will depend on its internal structure and any trace elements present in the rough material. Some rough diamonds are even tinted due to the presence of minerals or impurities.
Clarity:

In their natural form, rough diamonds may have a variety of inclusions and blemishes, such as tiny air bubbles or mineral inclusions trapped within the crystal. These internal flaws are often visible to the naked eye or under magnification, though they can be reduced or eliminated during the cutting and polishing processes.
Size:

Rough diamonds vary greatly in size, from small pebbles to large stones weighing several carats. Larger rough diamonds are often considered more valuable, especially if they possess good colour and clarity, as they can be cut into high-quality finished diamonds.
The Journey of a Rough Diamond
Extraction:

Rough diamonds are mined from the Earth, typically through open-pit mining, underground mining, or alluvial mining (searching for diamonds in riverbeds or coastal regions). Mining companies extract the rough stones from kimberlite pipes or riverbeds, often using advanced technology to locate diamond deposits deep underground.
Sorting and Grading:

Once extracted, rough diamonds are sorted based on their size, colour, clarity, and shape. Each diamond is examined to determine its potential for cutting and polishing. Some rough diamonds are too flawed or small to be cut into gem-quality stones and may be used for industrial purposes instead.
The DCLA (Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia) offers rough diamond services to help classify and grade rough diamonds. They use their expertise to evaluate the quality of rough diamonds and assist in planning the best course of action for cutting and polishing.
Cutting and Polishing:

After sorting, the rough diamond is sent to skilled gem cutters, who use advanced techniques and tools to transform the stone into its finished form. The cutting process involves careful planning to maximise the yield (the amount of diamond produced from the rough stone) while aiming to enhance the diamond’s brilliance, fire, and overall appearance.
The diamond may be cut into a variety of shapes, such as round, emerald, princess, or cushion, depending on the rough stone’s shape and quality.
Grading:

Once the diamond is cut and polished, it is then graded according to the 4 Cs – Carat, Colour, Clarity, and Cut. This grade determines the diamond’s final value, and certificates from recognised laboratories such as DCLA are used to authenticate the quality of the diamond.
Uses of Rough Diamonds
Gem-quality Diamonds:

The primary use of rough diamonds is for gemstone production, where they are cut and polished into diamonds for use in engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, and other high-end jewellery.
Industrial Diamonds:

Some rough diamonds, particularly those with significant imperfections, are not suitable for use in jewellery. These diamonds are used for industrial purposes, where their hardness is highly valued. Industrial diamonds are employed in applications such as cutting, grinding, drilling, and polishing, where the diamond’s extreme hardness makes it ideal for cutting or shaping other materials.

The rough diamond is the very first step in the life cycle of a diamond. Found in the earth in its natural form, it is then extracted, sorted, and carefully crafted into the sparkling gemstones that are valued in fine jewellery. Due to their rarity and the complexity of their transformation, rough diamonds represent both the mystery of nature and the skill of the craftsmen who shape them into stunning finished products.

July, 2017February, 2025

Red Diamond

A red diamond is an extremely rare and captivating coloured diamond with a natural red body colour. This distinctive hue is often considered the most rare of all diamond colours, with its unique shade being the result of an irregular crystal structure. Unlike other coloured diamonds, the red colour in red diamonds is not caused by the presence of impurities, but by specific structural defects within the crystal lattice, which affects how the diamond interacts with light.

Key Characteristics of Red Diamonds
Colour:

The red in red diamonds must be the predominant colour, and it may be modified by subtle undertones of pink or purple. These undertones add depth and complexity to the diamond’s overall appearance, creating a dynamic play of colour under different lighting conditions.
Red diamonds can range in tone from a light pinky-red to a deep, intense red, with the most prized examples exhibiting a vivid and saturated hue. The richness and intensity of the red are key factors in determining a red diamond’s rarity and value.
Colour Origin:

The distinct red colour of these diamonds is not due to traditional colouring agents like nitrogen or boron, which are often responsible for the hues of other coloured diamonds. Instead, the red colour arises from structural anomalies in the crystal lattice. These distortions cause light to bend in unique ways, giving the diamond its characteristic deep red shade.
The exact mechanism behind the creation of red diamonds is not entirely understood, which adds to their mystery and allure.
Rarity:

Natural red diamonds are the rarest of all coloured diamonds. They are so rare that they account for less than 0.1% of all natural diamonds. Their scarcity is due to the highly specific conditions required to form these diamonds. The majority of red diamonds come from a few select mines, particularly the Argyle Mine in Australia, which is one of the only sources of natural red diamonds.
As a result of their extreme rarity, red diamonds are often considered investment-grade stones, with prices escalating due to limited supply and growing demand.
Colour Grading:

The grading of red diamonds is somewhat different from other coloured diamonds. Red diamonds are typically graded on their colour saturation and intensity. Diamonds with a higher degree of vivid red colour and strong saturation are classified as fancy red diamonds, which are among the most valuable and sought-after types of coloured diamonds.
The Fancy Red classification is a coveted category, where the diamond displays a full, intense red hue with minimal interference from other colours.
Value and Investment
Investment Potential:
Due to their extreme rarity, high demand, and unique beauty, red diamonds are considered a valuable investment. As the supply of natural red diamonds continues to dwindle, especially with the closure of the Argyle Mine, prices are expected to rise steadily over time.
Red diamonds have become highly sought-after in the auction world, where they consistently fetch premium prices.

Pricing Factors:
The price of red diamonds is primarily determined by their colour quality, with the intensity and saturation of the red being the most important factors in determining value. Additionally, the size of the diamond also plays a role in its price, with larger red diamonds being exceptionally rare and significantly more expensive.

Red Diamond vs Other Coloured Diamonds
Diamond Colour Rarity Colour Tone Key Features
Red Extremely Rare Vivid Red, Deep Red Most rare, unique structural colour origin
Pink Rare Soft Pink to Vivid Pink Lighter hue, sometimes found with red undertones
Blue Rare Deep Blue to Light Blue Caused by boron, highly prized for its striking colour
Green Rare Light Green to Intense Green Natural radiation exposure causes the green hue
Yellow Common Light Yellow to Intense Yellow Caused by nitrogen, often brighter than other colours
Black Fairly Rare Deep, opaque black Intense colour, may have inclusions contributing to hue
Red Diamonds in Jewellery
Engagement Rings:

Red diamonds make a bold and captivating choice for engagement rings. Their rare and striking colour is perfect for individuals seeking something extraordinary and one-of-a-kind. When set in platinum or white gold, the red hue is often accentuated, creating a stunning contrast that is both elegant and memorable.
High-End Jewellery:

Due to their rarity and prestige, red diamonds are often featured in luxury jewellery collections and can be seen in high-end pieces, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and brooches. Their striking appearance and scarcity make them a statement piece in any collection.
Fancy Settings:

Red diamonds are typically set in settings that showcase their vivid colour, such as halo settings (where smaller diamonds surround the central red diamond) or three-stone designs that highlight the rarity and beauty of the diamond.

The red diamond is one of the rarest and most beautiful gemstones in the world, prized for its deep, captivating red hue and its unique structural formation. With limited availability and high demand, red diamonds are not only a luxurious addition to any jewellery collection but also an investment asset. Whether used in engagement rings, necklaces, or other fine jewellery, red diamonds are a symbol of both rarity and elegance, making them one of the most sought-after coloured diamonds in the world.

July, 2017February, 2025

Point

In the diamond industry, a point is a unit of weight used to measure diamonds and other gemstones. One point is equal to one hundredth (1/100) of a carat, or 0.01 carats.

Understanding Points in Diamond Weight
Diamonds are weighed in carats (ct), with each carat divided into 100 points. This system allows for precise measurements, especially for smaller diamonds.

For example:

A 15-point diamond weighs 0.15 carats and is sometimes referred to as a “fifteen-pointer.”
A 50-point diamond weighs 0.50 carats, also called a “half-carat” diamond.
A 100-point diamond equals 1.00 carat, making it a one-carat diamond.
Why Points Matter
Precision – Points allow for highly accurate diamond weight measurement, especially for small diamonds where even minor differences in weight can affect value.
Pricing – Since diamond prices are calculated per carat, even a small difference in weight (e.g., 0.49 ct vs. 0.50 ct) can significantly impact the price.
Common Usage – Jewelers and gemologists frequently use the term “points” when referring to diamonds under one carat, as it simplifies communication of weight.
Example Diamond Sizes in Points
Points Carats Common Name
10 pts 0.10 ct Ten-pointer
25 pts 0.25 ct Quarter-carat
50 pts 0.50 ct Half-carat
75 pts 0.75 ct Three-quarter carat
100 pts 1.00 ct One-carat
While points are commonly used for diamonds below 1.00 carat, larger diamonds are generally described in carats rather than points (e.g., a 1.25-carat diamond rather than a 125-pointer).

The point system is an essential part of diamond grading and pricing, providing precise measurements that ensure accuracy in weight calculation. Whether buying or selling a diamond, understanding points can help in making informed decisions about size, value, and pricing.