World's most exquisite gems exclusive to Melbourne Museum
Pink Diamonds
5 Nov 2022–29 January 2023
The largest collection of Australian pink diamonds to be shown in the world will transform the Dynamic Earth gallery at Melbourne Museum into a shimmering wonderland from Saturday 5 November.
Museums Victoria is partnering with New York based LJ West Diamonds, one of the largest collectors of natural colour diamonds in the world, to provide an exclusive opportunity for Australians and international visitors to marvel at pink diamonds.
The Pink Diamonds exhibition will showcase more than 100 truly unique gemstones found in the Australian East Kimberley region. Naturally coloured diamonds have long been valued for their uniqueness; coveted by many but owned by few. The physical conditions needed to create them occur very rarely, making them extraordinarily precious and exceedingly valuable. In the world of luxury products, natural colour diamonds are likened to works of art, hidden treasures and rare books.
“Museums Victoria is pleased to present this world-first display of some of the earth’s extraordinary beauties,” Museums Victoria Director & CEO Lynley Crosswell said. “The exhibition will bring to light their dazzling hues, the fascinating science and the precise skill required to cut these exquisite gemstones”.
For the first time, a collection of some of the world’s most exquisite Australian pink diamonds – which make up 90% of all pink diamonds in the global market – will be on public display, including the 2.83 carat Argyle Violet, one of the most spectacular gems on Earth. It is ‘one of the rarest jewels in the world, 100 times rarer than a pink diamond – it’s the Picasso of the collection’, said Larry West. Placed in the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles in 2016, it is the only stone in history to carry this colour grading which is produced by the presence of hydrogen.
“I have been building my collection of Argyle pink diamonds for 30 years, many of which have never been on public display,” said Larry West. “I am thrilled for the best of the collection to be back in Australia and presented as the largest pink diamond exhibition ever.”
Said Museums Victoria Research Institute’s Head of Sciences Dermot Henry: “Our planet created these flawless diamonds over 1.6 billion years ago. Finding a pink diamond is like retrieving the ‘needle from the haystack’; only one carat in every million will display this intense pink colour. They remind us how truly wonderful nature is.”
This once in a lifetime opportunity will allow audiences to discover what gives pink diamonds their distinctive colour, and the art behind cutting, polishing and setting diamonds as jewellery.
The Pink Diamonds exhibition has been supported through the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund, a partnership between the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne.
Pink Diamonds is showing at Melbourne Museum 5 Nov 2022 – 29 January 2023 and is free with Museum entry.
Pink Diamond facts
- All the Australian pink diamonds that have ever been sold can fit into two champagne flutes
- Of every 1 million carats mined, 1 carat is a tender stone
- Diamonds were formed 1.6 billion years ago
- It can take up to a year to cut a perfect pink diamond.
Pink Diamonds High Tea at Mercury Restaurant
Overlooking the stunning Royal Exhibition Building, indulge in a decadent, blushing, pink-themed high tea with sweet treats and gourmet savouries while sipping sparkling rosé and rose tea at Melbourne Museum's Mercury Restaurant. Complete your day out with the stunning gems and jewellery from the private collection of LJ West in the stunning Pink Diamonds exhibition. Minimum 2 people, 48 hours’ notice required.
Spokespeople available for interview
- Museums Victoria Director & CEO Lynley Crosswell
- Museums Victoria Research Institute Head of Sciences, Dermot Henry
Museums Victoria acknowledges the Miriuwung, Gidja, Malgnin and Wularr people, the traditional custodians of Wilinggin, and pays respects to their Ancestors, and to elders past and present.
