The 12 Diamonds of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… Diamonds! But, which diamond? A pink diamond, rarely mined from the Kimberley region in Australia? Or perhaps a stunning lab-grown diamond, as beautiful as a naturally occurring diamond but for a fraction of the price?
With the festive season fast approaching, we want to take the time to look at our twelve favourite and very different types of diamonds at Argyle Jewellers – from investment diamonds, to breathtaking jewellery pieces and beyond.
Day One: Lab Grown Diamonds
When it comes to the different types of diamonds, lab-grown diamonds – being diamonds that are grown in a laboratory using a “seed”, with no mining required – are becoming incredibly popular, particularly among the younger generations who are more concerned about the ethics behind diamond mining and sourcing. Growing a diamond in a laboratory removes these issues, giving you a diamond that is identical to one that grows naturally, but at a much more affordable price.
Day Two: Chocolate Diamonds
Some like to give chocolates for Christmas…others prefer to give chocolate diamonds. They are formed just like colourless diamonds – under the earth, under immense pressure – but it is the presence of nitrogen atoms in the crystal lattice during the diamonds’ formation that gives chocolate diamonds their distinctive brown hue. The intensity of the brown colour varies from light champagne to deep chocolate, depending on the concentration of nitrogen. The rich, warm hues of chocolate diamonds make them a unique choice for collecting or Christmas giving.
Australian Chocolate Diamond Ring by Argyle Jewellers
Day Three: Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds are a rare occurrence, although not quite as rare as brown diamonds, and are a standout when it comes to the different types of diamonds. As well as Australia, these diamonds are also found in South Africa and Russia. Yellow diamonds are among some of the most sought-after types of diamond, and their colour ranges from a subtle lemon to a deep canary yellow. This Australian source of exclusive gemstones is perfect for those seeking a natural and native stone for their engagement with a sunny outlook.
The geological forces that shape Australian parti sapphires are often linked to hydrothermal processes, where temperature and pressure deep within the Earth’s crust influence the gem’s final appearance. But what about their enchanting, multiple hues?
Parti sapphires are primarily composed of corundum, the same mineral that gives rise to traditional blue sapphires and rubies. The colour zoning of these gems is formed when a range of trace elements, such as iron, titanium, and chromium, interact during their crystallisation process. These elements in turn influence the colours exhibited within the sapphire, creating a stunning fusion of colour.
Yellow Diamond Earrings by Argyle Jewellers
Day Four: Fancy Coloured Diamonds
Similar to sapphires and other precious gemstones, diamonds are created by the earth in a wealth of colours, which are often referred to as “fancy coloured” diamonds. Aside from yellow, chocolate and pink, these different types of diamonds can also be found in red (the rarest colour, with only 20 to 30 natural red diamonds known to exist), orange, green, blue, pink, purple, black and grey. Some of these colours are so rare, however, that they are tremendously expensive. If you are interested in a fancy coloured diamond but would like a more affordable stone, lab grown diamonds are also available in a myriad of colours.
Day Five: Australian Argyle Diamonds
Australian Argyle diamonds are some of the finest diamonds not just in Australia, but the world. They actually differ from other diamonds thanks to their natural formation, which includes nitrogen atoms that create beautiful optical qualities within the stone. The name comes from the Argyle mine, located in The Kimberly Region of Western Australia – which is where you can also find our Yellow Diamonds, Chocolate Diamonds and of course the finest Pink Diamonds – and each Argyle diamond bears a distinctive mark, a testament to its origins. These intricate patterns, known as growth lines, are etched upon the diamond’s surface, signifying its formation deep within the earth.
Day Six: Passion8 Diamonds
At Argyle Jewellers, we are proud to present Passion8 diamonds. Less than 1% of the world’s diamonds are of a high enough standard to become a Passion8 diamond; once hand selected, the rough stones are expertly cut by some of the world’s most qualified diamond cutters and polishers. Each one of the 58 facets allows the diamond to reveal 8 perfect hearts and 8 perfect arrows within the stone – perfect for the romantic in your life.
Day Seven: Vintage Diamonds
Another type of diamond that is preferred by those who are eco-conscious (but also love a vintage flair), vintage diamonds can be an affordable option when it comes to gifting diamonds or even reusing diamonds for your own custom jewellery dreams. This is because, generally, a diamond antique cut of a similar carat weight to a modern diamond will be around 20% less.
Day Eight: Pink Diamonds
At Argyle Jewellers, pink diamonds are amongst our favourite type of diamond, being stunningly beautiful and exceptionally rare. The Rio Tinto Argyle mine, located in Western Australia, was producing (before closure) up to 90% of the world’s pink diamonds, making them a truly treasured Australian find. However, this mine closed in 2020, making pink diamonds even more sought-after. Whether a pink diamond is set in an engagement ring or a pair of dazzling earrings, pink diamonds will captivate for generations to come.
Australian Pink Diamond Ring by Argyle Jewellers
Day Nine: Investment Diamonds
While all of our diamonds are special, our Australian investment diamonds are in a superior class. Intended to be a valuable asset, these diamonds have outperformed many other major asset classes and commodities, and have gone on to show excellent stability and performance over a long period of time for strategic investors. Since formal records began in the 1970s, prices of our pink investment diamonds have grown between 10% to 20% per year on average across all sizes.
Day Ten: Diamond Jewellery
You can’t mention diamonds and not talk about the beauty that is diamond jewellery. Whether it’s a stunning ring, attention-grabbing earrings, or a tennis bracelet that you intend to keep in the family, our range of diamond jewellery truly is something special. Adorn yourself in a sparkling treasure this Christmas.
Day Eleven: Fancy Cut Diamonds
So much goes into making a diamond special – and this includes diamond cuts. The way a raw diamond is cut can bring out its true beauty – whether it’s square-cut, cushion or pear-shaped – and make it something truly special. Some diamond cuts can be more expensive, so if you’re searching for a slightly more affordable option, some cuts to consider are oval, pear, cushion, and princess cuts.
Platinum Engagement Ring by Argyle Jewellers
Day Twelve: A Diamond From Argyle Jewellers
Last but not least, we encourage you to explore our spectacular range of diamonds at Argyle Jewellers. Whether you visit us in-store or are dreaming about diamonds on our site, let Argyle inspire you with something special this Christmas.