By June Ramli
Perth, May 19: Australians are increasingly turning to rare diamonds as both luxury purchases and long-term stores of value, with demand rising for investment-grade stones such as Argyle pink diamonds and large white diamonds.
The shift comes as older Australians reassess how they spend, invest and preserve wealth, with some choosing tangible luxury assets over more traditional investment paths.
In an email interview with DailyStraits.com, Nick Ireland, founder of Nick Ireland Jewellery, said buyers should focus on certification, laser inscriptions and resale value before purchasing diamonds.
“First, never purchase a diamond that does not have a laser inscription, and always make sure it is accompanied by a relevant certificate confirming it is a natural diamond,” Ireland said.
He said his business used GIA certification for white and coloured diamonds, while Argyle pink diamonds carried official Argyle certificates and matching laser inscriptions, with many also double-certified by GIA.
Ireland warned that lab-grown diamonds should not be viewed as investment assets.
“Today, most jewellers and gold buyers view the intrinsic value of a lab-grown diamond as zero, meaning they will only pay you for the scrap metal component of the jewellery piece,” he said.
The comments come amid growing interest in rare diamonds from older Australians seeking tangible stores of value outside traditional investments.
Ireland said larger, high-quality white diamonds above five carats continued to rise in value because of their rarity, while Argyle pink diamonds remained highly sought after following the closure of the Argyle mine.
He said resale value ultimately depended on the original purchase price, rarity and broader market demand, with auction house results often serving as the best indicator of current investment performance.
For Australians looking to sell diamonds, Ireland recommended avoiding standard pawnbrokers and instead approaching established bullion dealers or independent manufacturing jewellers who better understood natural investment-grade stones.
“If the diamonds are investment quality with a laser inscription and proper certificates, we can buy or sell them for clients no matter where they are located in Australia,” he said.
Ireland also advised owners to store high-value jewellery in bank safety deposit boxes or specialist private vaults rather than keeping them at home.
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