A recent scientific discovery has revealed key information about the formation of pink diamonds, known for their rarity and exquisite beauty. These gems are considered among the most expensive stones and have long been coveted by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.

The majority of these pink diamonds, over 90 percent, were discovered in the Argyle mine located in the remote northwest region of Australia, which has recently ceased operations. For years, researchers wondered why this mine produced so many pink diamonds, as its location on the edge of a continent was uncommon in the industry.

A study published in the journal Nature Communications revealed that these pink diamonds reached the Earth’s surface due to the fragmentation of the first supercontinent approximately 1.3 billion years ago. The study’s lead author, Hugo Olierook from Curtin University in Western Australia, explained that two out of the three necessary ingredients for the formation of pink diamonds were already known.

The first ingredient is carbon, which must be found deep within the Earth, at least 150 kilometers below the surface. If carbon is closer, it will transform into graphite, a substance much less valuable than diamonds.

The second ingredient is the precise amount of pressure needed to alter the clarity of diamonds and give them their characteristic pink color. Olierook points out that applying too little pressure would result in clear diamonds, while too much pressure would make them brown. It is important to note that a large number of diamonds found in the Argyle mine were of the brown variety, less valuable than pink diamonds.

This discovery provides valuable information for locating similar deposits worldwide. Further research in this field could reveal new sources of these coveted gems, offering a greater supply in the market. The study reinforces the allure and mystery surrounding pink diamonds, consolidating their reputation as some of the most precious and exclusive stones in the world.

Sources:
– Murray Rayner, Pink diamond discovery could help find new deposits, Phys.org
– Traffic Studio #B, Pink diamonds are incredibly rare — and expensive. Scientists now think they know how they were formed, Business Insider