Why do They Call it a Tennis Bracelet?

Keep your diamond ring sparkling for life. Here’s how to clean it at home, when to take it off, and the signs it’s time for a checkup.

8 simple tips from our jewelry makers on cut, color, lab-grown diamonds and gold, to help you choose an engagement ring you’ll love for life.

Quick answer: Yes. Natural pink diamonds exist and are among the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world. They get their colour from a physical distortion of the diamond crystal structure, not from trace elements. The Argyle mine in Western Australia was the world's dominant source, supplying over 90 percent of global supply before closing in 2020. With Argyle now closed, natural pink diamonds are rarer than ever and prices continue to rise. Pink diamonds occupy a unique position in the gem world. Most people who ask whether they are real are surprised to learn not only that they exist, but that they are among the most scientifically interesting and commercially extraordinary stones in existence. Understanding what makes them real, what makes them rare, and what your options are in New Zealand as a buyer is the purpose of this guide. Yes, Natural Pink Diamonds Are Real Natural pink diamonds are not dyed, treated with colour, or in any way altered. They are genuine diamonds whose pink colour is inherent to their crystal structure. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the world's most authoritative gemological laboratory, grades natural pink diamonds in the same way as all other fancy colour diamonds: as Faint Pink, Very Light Pink, Light Pink, Fancy Light Pink, Fancy Pink, Fancy Intense Pink, Fancy Deep Pink, or Fancy Vivid Pink, with Fancy Vivid Pink representing the most saturated and the most valuable. A GIA-certified natural Fancy Vivid Pink diamond is an authenticated natural gemstone with no parallel in the laboratory-grown market in terms of provenance and rarity. These stones have sold at Christie's and Sotheby's auctions for prices exceeding NZD $2 million per carat. What Causes Pink Diamonds to Be Pink? The colour origin of pink diamonds is one of the most studied questions in gemology, and the answer is still not completely settled at the quantum level. The consensus is that the pink colour results from plastic deformation of the diamond crystal, caused by immense lateral pressure as the diamond was transported from deep within the Earth to the surface through kimberlite pipes. This deformation creates microscopic distortions in the crystal lattice that absorb green light from the visible spectrum. The remaining transmitted light registers as pink to the human eye. This is a fundamentally different mechanism from: Yellow diamonds: colour caused by nitrogen impurities trapped in the crystal. Blue diamonds: colour caused by boron impurities (the famous Hope Diamond is blue for this reason). Green diamonds: colour caused by natural radiation exposure near the surface. Red diamonds: the same mechanism as pink diamonds, but at a more extreme degree of lattice distortion. Pink and red diamonds are the only major fancy colour diamond categories where the colour comes from a physical change to the crystal itself rather than a chemical impurity. This is one reason they are so rare: the specific combination of pressure, temperature, and geological timing required to produce this effect is extraordinarily uncommon. The Argyle Mine: The Source That Defined Pink Diamonds The Argyle diamond mine in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia was operated by Rio Tinto from 1983 until its closure in November 2020. During those 37 years, Argyle supplied an estimated 90 percent or more of the world's natural pink diamonds, along with the majority of global champagne and cognac diamond supply. Argyle pink diamonds were distinctive not only in their volume but in their character: typically small in carat weight (most were under 0.50 carats), with intense purplish-pink to vivid pink colours that made them visually striking despite their size. Rio Tinto sold the finest Argyle pinks through an annual invitation-only tender process attended by the world's leading diamond dealers and collectors. Since Argyle's closure, no other mine has emerged to fill the supply gap. Other sources including South Africa, Russia, Brazil, and Canada produce occasional pink diamonds, but in quantities far below what Argyle once supplied. The practical result for the market is that natural pink diamond prices have risen substantially since 2020 and are expected to continue rising as existing supply is absorbed by collectors and institutions. Natural vs Lab-Created Pink Diamonds: What New Zealand Buyers Need to Know The closure of Argyle and the rise of lab-grown diamond technology have together created two very different markets for pink diamonds in New Zealand. Feature Natural pink diamond Lab-created pink diamond Origin Earth, billions of years Laboratory, weeks to months Hardness 10 (Mohs) 10 (Mohs) Colour grade GIA Fancy scale GIA or IGI Fancy scale Price (0.50 ct, Fancy Pink) NZD $40,000 to $150,000+ NZD $1,500 to $4,000 Rarity Extremely rare Commercially available Investment value Strong, especially post-Argyle Not applicable Best for Collectors, investors, heirlooms Engagement rings, daily wear For most New Zealand buyers who want a pink diamond ring for wearing, whether as an engagement ring, a dress ring, or a special gift, a lab-created pink diamond offers the same beauty, the same hardness, and the same grading standard at a price that is accessible rather than extraordinary. Pink Diamond Rings at TJ Diamond Auckland TJ Diamond designs and manufactures pink diamond rings in Auckland, working with both natural and lab-created pink diamonds. For lab-created pink diamond rings, we offer a range of colour intensities from Fancy Light Pink through Fancy Vivid Pink, in a variety of shapes including oval, round, cushion, and pear. Settings range from classic solitaires to halo designs and custom configurations. Oval settings are among the most popular for pink diamond centre stones. Browse our oval diamond rings collection for oval setting styles that translate directly to pink diamond rings. For a halo setting around a pink diamond, see our halo diamond rings collection as a design reference. Round brilliant is also a classic choice for pink diamonds. See our round diamond rings collection for round setting options. For natural Argyle pink diamonds or certified natural pink diamonds from other origins, TJ Diamond can source and set stones on a bespoke basis. These commissions are handled directly by our Auckland team and require a personal consultation. Pink diamonds make a profoundly personal choice for an engagement ring, an anniversary ring, or a significant self-purchase. If you want something that is genuinely distinctive and carries a colour story that no other gemstone can match, a pink diamond ring is in a category of its own. For comparison with other coloured gemstone ring options, see our article on how much is a ruby ring worth, which covers the ruby as the other leading coloured gemstone for fine rings. To discuss a pink diamond ring, arrange a consultation, or request a quote for a natural or lab-created pink diamond, contact our Auckland team. Related: Oval diamond rings NZ  |  Halo diamond rings NZ  |  How much is a ruby ring worth?