Ellie Goulding has said she is “mortified” and that she “fell short” of her environmental standards after wearing pink diamonds from a mine linked to pollution concerns. The singer and eco-campaigner told the Mirror she was unaware of the issues surrounding Western Australia's Argyle mine when she appeared as “guest of honour” at Boodles' new London flagship store on October 8.
Boodles Launch and Diamond Origins
The 39-year-old, who received an MBE this year for services to climate, wore a necklace and earrings reportedly worth £500,000 at the Bond Street event. The pink diamonds came from the Argyle mine, where Indigenous traditional owners have long complained about damage to their land. Guests at the seven-storey townhouse enjoyed champagne, caviar and oysters, with the venue featuring a new “Argyle Lounge” celebrating the diamonds' provenance.
Goulding described the necklace, set in platinum and rose gold, as “so elegant and iconic.” Boodles announced: “Our guest of honour, Ellie Goulding, officially opened the Townhouse, wearing the 23 Old Bond Street Suite for the first time.”
Environmental Concerns at Argyle
Argyle once supplied around 90 per cent of the world's pink diamonds, but the mine closed in November 2020 after nearly four decades of production. Boodles acquired the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand from mining giant Rio Tinto at the beginning of the month, including remaining stock but not the mine itself.
A 2025 annual report from Gelganyem, the organisation representing traditional owners' interests around Argyle, said land use would be “permanently restricted due to soil, groundwater and surface water contamination from PFAS (the 'forever chemical') and hydrocarbons.” The report also noted acid and metals being released into local creeks, serious erosion, fish requiring chemical testing, and damage to Indigenous sites including burial grounds and a ceremonial cave with rock art.
In February, Gelganyem Chair Kia Dowell, a Gija woman, told Australia's ABC: “As it stands now, traditional owners have confirmed that we are unwilling to accept a site that is contaminated with forever chemicals.”
Goulding's Apology and Response
Goulding said: “Protecting the environment is a cause close to my heart. I always strive to uphold those values. Regretfully, in this instance, I fell short. I was not aware of the concerns surrounding the Argyle mine and I am grateful that it has been brought to my attention.” She added: “You will certainly not see me wearing diamonds originating from the Argyle mine again. The Indigenous and local communities affected deserve better.”
Gelganyem welcomed her words, with a statement saying Kia Dowell “acknowledges Ellie Goulding's apology and welcomes her recognition that Indigenous and local communities deserve better.” Traditional Owners want “unrestricted access without unresolved risks being left for future generations,” and the statement added: “Traditional Owners want to eat the whole fish, swim in clean water and remain in relationship with a healthy ecosystem.”
WWF and Rio Tinto Responses
The controversy is awkward for WWF, where Goulding is an ambassador. WWF-UK has previously urged celebrities to investigate companies they endorse through a six-point “Star Charter.” A WWF spokesperson said they had “discussed this issue with Ellie and continue to value her support,” adding that Goulding is “a passionate advocate for nature and human rights.”
A source close to Goulding said there is “no ongoing or substantial relationship between Ellie and Boodles,” noting the acquisition was announced just before the launch. A source close to Boodles said the company bought the last batch of pink diamonds and assets from Rio Tinto, including the website and Instagram account.
Rio Tinto said mining at Argyle ended in 2020 after 37 years and that it is undertaking major mine closure works including rehabilitation, with long-term monitoring to follow. The company said PFAS-containing firefighting foams were historically used widely across industries, and that its focus is on meeting commitments and working through concerns with Traditional Owners.
