Editor’s Note
This article explores the unique geological origins of pink diamonds, revealing that their prized color stems not from chemical impurities but from structural distortions in the carbon lattice caused by immense pressure.
The pink color of diamonds, so coveted by collectors and investors, does not come from impurities like nitrogen in yellow diamonds or boron in blue diamonds. Instead, the pink hue of these precious stones is due to a distortion in their atomic structure. This phenomenon occurred when the intense geological pressures the diamond was subjected to during its formation altered its crystal lattice, causing a deformation in the arrangement of carbon atoms. This distortion reduced the absorption of green light, causing the stone to reflect a pink light.
According to experts from The Conversation, only a tiny fraction of diamonds experienced this precise deformation, explaining their rare occurrence and the high value they command.
The Argyle mine, located in western Australia, was for decades the world’s primary source of pink and red diamonds. This mine, which closed its doors in 2020 due to the depletion of its reserves, produced more than 90% of the world’s pink diamonds.
The Kimberley region, where Argyle is located, possessed a unique geology that contributed to the formation of these colored diamonds. According to experts, tectonic activity that occurred 1.6 billion years ago was key to creating the necessary conditions for the lattice defects that produce pink colors.
Although the Argyle mine was the main source, less than 0.1% of the diamonds extracted there were classified as pink, underscoring the extreme rarity of these specimens. In fact, red diamonds, which formed through an even more intense deformation process, were considered the rarest of all.
The high price achieved by stones like the “María Teresa” reflects the scarcity of pink diamonds in the market. With the closure of the Argyle mine, the supply of these stones has drastically decreased, driving up their value. Furthermore, the difficulty in replicating the formation process in laboratories has contributed to pink diamonds maintaining their status as exclusive luxury goods.
The pink diamond market is characterized by fierce competition among collectors and investors seeking to own one of these rare gems. Despite advances in creating synthetic diamonds, natural ones continue to be the most coveted.
The identification of these diamonds is carried out using advanced techniques such as infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, which allow for the analysis of atomic characteristics and differentiation between natural stones and those grown in a laboratory.
Although scientists have managed to create pink diamonds in the laboratory by replicating natural formation conditions, this process is not perfect. The deformation of the atomic structure that gives rise to the pink coloration is very difficult to reproduce in a controlled environment.
Despite advances in synthesis techniques, laboratory-created diamonds do not possess the same depth of color and optical characteristics as natural ones, increasing the demand for rare specimens that have undergone the geological forces only nature could generate.
In addition to the rarity and chemical conditions that make pink diamonds so expensive, their value is also boosted by the mystery surrounding their formation. Throughout history, stones like the “María Teresa” have been linked to historical figures such as Marie Antoinette, adding additional value due to their provenance. Although the attribution of the diamond to the queen has not been confirmed, the connection with French royalty has increased its appeal.