In the Pink: Scientists Hint at More Argyle Mines
September 21, 23
(IDEX Online) - Scientists say they now better understand how pink diamonds from the iconic Arygle mine were formed - which may allow them to predict the location of other sources in the future.
They say the clear stones got their distinctive color from the the clash of continents that formed the vast supercontinent Nuna, including Australia 1.85bn years ago.
They were brought close to the Earth's surface by a series of eruptions when it splintered 1.3bn years ago.
The research team say the pink diamonds required a "perfect storm" of carbon, the right amount of pressure and the volcanic activity that brought them to the surface.
Dr Hugo Olierook, a geoscientist at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, and fellow academics, published their new findings on Tuesday (19 September) in the journal Nature Communications.
Their study is entitled Emplacement of the Argyle diamond deposit into an ancient rift zone triggered by supercontinent breakup.
It describes how the collisions near Australia's northwestern edge provided the pressure that colored Argyle's diamonds pink on the edge of the former supercontinent.
Olierook said the unusual placement of the Argyle indicates there could be more pinks to be found at the edges of ancient continents.
Argyle as the source of 90 per cent of the world's super-valuable pink diamonds for 38 years until it was closed by owners Rio Tinto it in November 2020.
Pic courtesy Argyle