Argyle
The Impossible Story of Australian Diamonds
By Stuart Kells
A new book tells the complete story of Argyle, one of the most important diamond discoveries of our times, and the mine that has perhaps had the biggest impact on the success of the Indian diamond industry (read more here).
“Argyle: The Impossible Story of Australian Diamonds” by Historian Stuart Kells, published by Melbourne University Press, recounts the tale of the intrepid Australian geologists who discovered pink diamonds in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia with a rich history and unique geography.
Kells notes that in the 1960s De Beers, the world’s largest diamond company, sent gem-hunters to the area but they came away empty-handed. It was a vast region to survey, and they’d overlooked something vital.
A few years later, a team of Australian geologists with a tiny budget searched for even tinier mineral clues. Those clues led them to the earth’s largest diamond deposit and the world’s largest and richest source of coloured diamonds including the very rare pink diamonds.
Based on in-depth research and interviews—including with Alan King Jones, Bill Leslie and ‘the father of Australian diamonds’, Ewen Tyler—“Argyle” details the almost overwhelming challenges with realising a diamond mining venture in Australia, shows how these obstacles were overcome, and explores the mine’s impact and legacy.
ISBN: 9780522877250
Paperback Price: $34.99
eBook Price: $22.99
Imprint: Melbourne University Press