Australia’s Diamonds Are Tickled Pink

The Australian Open isn’t the only thing Aussie on my mind these days. "G’Day USA Australia Week", a celebration honoring the best of Australian business and culture, took place in Manhattan last week, and the star of the show wasn’t my favorite Aussie export, Hugh Jackman. Even better (yes, it’s possible), the belles of the ball were rare, one-of-a-kind pink diamonds.

Diamond miner, Rio Tinto was a supporting sponsor of a glittering, black-tie gala that ended the week-long celebration, featuring millions of dollars of the little beauties on the red carpet.

Pink diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine dripped from the likes of Australian supermodel Kristy Hinze, in L.J. West's "Argyle Finest Pink Diamond Bracelet" with 204 marquise and radiant-cut Argyle pink diamonds, and Australian actress Ursula Yovich, who wore Calleija's "Kimberly Rose" necklace, valued at around $1 million. Catherine Martin, costume designer and wife of famed director Baz Luhrmann, wore L.J. West's "Pink and Green Ring" featuring a 3.42-carat, fancy-intense Argyle pink diamond.

“Argyle Pink Diamonds are both symbolic culturally and highly prized globally. We are delighted to be here to tell the remarkable story of the world’s rarest diamonds and to display these fine examples of truly master craftsmanship” noted Jean-Marc Lieberherr, General Manager of Rio Tinto’s Diamonds Sales and Marketing in a press release.

Pink diamonds have been found in very few mines around the world. Australia’s Argyle mine is the world’s only consistent producer of pink diamonds, supplying over 90% of the market with the pink princesses.

Celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Portia de Rossi were given rare pink diamond engagement rings by their significant others Ben Affleck and Ellen DeGeneres. J-Lo gave hers back when the Bennnifer chapter closed for good, but I’m sure Portia’s pink has more staying power.