• The Argyle Diamond Mine Location: Kimberley region in the Australian state of Western Australia
• The Argyle Diamond Mine diamond source: Olivine lamproite volcanic pipe
• Type of Argyle volcanic pipe: Diatreme (the upper portions of volcanic structures)
• Mining Method: Tunnelling, open pit mining,  and Alluvial mining
• Size of the Argyle Diamond Mine: 110 acres and reaches underground to 1,900 feet
•  The Argyle Diamond Mine diamond quality: 5% gem quality and 95% industrial grade & near gem quality
• Age of the mine: The Argyle pipe was discovered on October 2, 1979, and the Argyle Diamond Mine was commissioned in December 1985.
• Color of diamonds found at the Argyle Diamond Mine are 80% brown diamonds
16% yellow diamonds 2% white or colorless diamonds 2% pink or green diamonds
• Age of Diamonds: 1.5 billion years old
• The Argyle Diamond Mine is operated by: the Rio Tinto Group

Diamond Mines

Argyle Diamond Mine - Pink Diamonds
Pink diamonds are extremely rare and the Argyle Diamond Mine is the only known significant source of pink diamonds, producing 90 to 95% of the world's supply.  Crystal lattice defects during the formation of diamonds cause the pink color.

Argyle Diamond Mine - Brown Diamonds
Colored diamonds contain impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration. The most common impurity, nitrogen, causes a slight to intense yellow coloration depending upon the type and concentration of nitrogen present. Brown “amber” diamond crystals show some deformation called “brown graining”. They also contain nitrogen. The Argyle Diamond Mine produces 80% brown diamonds. Brown diamonds are usually less expensive than any other colors due to the fact that they are less appealing to most customers. The color descriptions of these diamonds are now described and marketed by the Argyle Diamond Mine as Cognac or Champagne.

Information about Diamond Deposits
Diamonds reach the surface of the earth via volcanic pipes or via placer / alluvial deposits. The purpose of the mines is the extraction of valuable diamonds from the earth. The mines are plant operations built to extract diamond crystal from either underground or from the surface. When diamonds are extracted underground, the mine needs a system of excavations in the rock to gain access to the kimberlite rock. There are a limited number of commercially viable diamond mines currently operating in the world which use tunnelling and excavation methods. However, diamonds are also mined using the Placer or Alluvial mining methods when host rock is washed away by streams and rivers and diamonds are deposited as sediment in the stream sands in 'placer deposits' which also called Alluvial deposits.