Argyle Diamonds: Australia’s Brief but Sparkling Time at the Top

For a brief shining moment, Australia stood at the very top of the diamond world. Thanks to the Argyle mine in Western Australia, our country became the largest producer of diamonds by volume globally. Even more remarkably, Argyle was the world’s leading source of the coveted pink diamond, producing over 90% of the planet’s supply of these exceptionally rare gems.

But the story didn’t last forever. In 2020, the Argyle mine closed its doors, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped the global diamond trade and cemented Australia’s place in gemstone history.

In this episode of ABC Radio’s Nightlife series Romancing the Stones, Suzanne Hill speaks with Jacinta Mainstone, Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Australia, to uncover the story of Australia’s diamond boom. From the rise of Argyle to its glittering pink treasures and ultimate closure, the conversation dives deep into what made this mine so extraordinary.

🎧 Listen now: Argyle Diamonds: Australia’s Brief but Sparkling Time at the Top

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