Eco-campaigner and singer Ellie Goulding told the Mirror she is “mortified” by wearing diamonds from a pollution-hit mine and that she “fell short” when it came to upholding her environmental values
Pop star Ellie Goulding has admitted a “mortifying” error of judgement after promoting pink diamonds from a mine embroiled in a “forever chemicals” row.
The eco-campaigner – an ambassador for wildlife charity WWF who received an MBE this year for climate services – said she had fallen short of her own standards.
Ellie, 39, was “guest of honour” at Boodles’ new London flagship store on October 8 when she wore a spectacular necklace and matching earrings reportedly worth £500,000.
But the pink diamonds came from western-Australia’s Argyle mine, where Indigenous traditional owners have long complained their land has been seriously damaged by mining.
The singer later cut a pink ribbon and posed for pictures alongside Boodles executives at the lavish launch on Bond Street, where guests enjoyed champagne, caviar and oysters. The seven-storey townhouse even featured a new “Argyle Lounge” celebrating the provenance of the diamonds.
Goulding, who wore a pink-striped blouse, said of the necklace which included the rare stones, set in platinum and rose gold: “’It’s so elegant and iconic.” Boodles proudly announced: “Our guest of honour, Ellie Goulding, officially opened the Townhouse, wearing the 23 Old Bond Street Suite for the first time.”
The controversy raises serious questions for the singer, who has spent years campaigning to protect the planet, and is also a former United Nations Environment Programme goodwill ambassador. Goulding – who wore Boodles’ jewellary for her performance ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final – has previously spoken about the dangers faced by Indigenous communities fighting environmental destruction.
In 2022 the star travelled to Sweden for a United Nations environment meeting in which she accused mining firms of “destroying” ancestral lands. She said: “In some cases these youth activists are considered enemy number one back home by their own governments. As I’ve always said, those with vested interests in oil and gas and mining, who are destroying the ancestral lands of these young people, are out to get to them.”
Boodles acquired the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand from mining giant Rio Tinto at the beginning of the month. The deal also included the remaining stock of the coveted stones, although not the mine itself, which closed in November 2020 after nearly four decades of production. Boodles sources say they “have nothing to do with the mining or mine itself.”
Argyle once supplied around 90 per cent of the world’s pink diamonds but the Indigenous people whose land produced them are fighting over what has been left behind.
The scale of the environmental concerns is laid bare in a damning 2025 annual report from Gelganyem, the organisation representing traditional owners’ interests around Argyle. It said: “Land use will be permanently restricted due to soil, groundwater and surface water contamination from PFAS (the ‘forever chemical’) and hydrocarbons.”
It added how “acid and metals are being released directly into Limestone, Smoke, and Wesley Creeks, impacting the environment and worsening over time.” Other findings identify serious erosion, fish having to be sent off for chemical testing, as well as damage to Indigenous sites, including burial grounds and a ceremonial cave containing rock art.
In February this year, Gelganyem Chair Kia Dowell, herself 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 today spoke of her regret at wearing the diamonds. She told the Mirror: “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.
“You will certainly not see me wearing diamonds originating from the Argyle mine again. The Indigenous and local communities affected deserve better. While I am mortified to have made this error in judgement, I am letting this moment serve as a reminder and an opportunity to continue to question the status quo, to learn and do better.”
Gelganyem, the organisation representing traditional owners’ interests around Argyle, said they welcomed her words. A statement said: “Gelganyem Chair Kia Dowell, a Gija woman, acknowledges Ellie Goulding’s apology and welcomes her recognition that Indigenous and local communities deserve better. She hopes it helps the public and Rio Tinto shareholders understand what is at stake at Argyle and the standard Rio Tinto’s mine closure must meet.”
They said that Traditional Owners wanted “unrestricted access without unresolved risks being left for future generations”, adding that PFAS – or forever chemicals – was one of “several technical issues Traditional Owners, Gelganyem and independent experts have raised.”
The statement added: “Traditional Owners want to eat the whole fish, swim in clean water and remain in relationship with a healthy ecosystem.”
Goulding’s links to the pink diamonds is embarrassing for WWF, who have campaigned against the environmental damage caused by mining and its impact on Indigenous communities.
In an extraordinary twist, the charity has previously warned celebrities against promoting luxury brands without first examining their environmental credentials. WWF-UK even drew up a six-point “Star Charter” urging stars to investigate the companies they endorse and seek independent advice about their environmental and social records.
A WWF spokesperson said they had “discussed this issue with Ellie and continue to value her support.” They added: “WWF takes seriously the environmental impact of mining and the effect it can have on Indigenous and local communities. Ellie is a passionate advocate for nature and human rights and has championed the rights of Indigenous Peoples as a WWF ambassador.”
A source close to Gouding said that there is “no ongoing or substantial relationship between Ellie and Boodles.” The source added: “Boodles holds current RJC Code of Practices certification. Its acquisition of the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand and remaining inventory was announced just before the launch, which may help explain why the connection was missed.”
A source close to Boodles added: “Boodles have bought the last batch of Pink Diamonds and assets from Rio Tinto including their website and Instagram account. Other jewellers have used Pink Diamonds in their collections.”
Rio Tinto said in a statement: “Mining at Argyle in Western Australia ended in 2020 after 37 years, and we are currently undertaking major mine closure works, including rehabilitation, with long-term monitoring and maintenance to follow. We acknowledge Traditional Owners as custodians of Country. We are continuing to talk to them and their representatives, the Gelganyem Group, about closure, including PFAS.
“PFAS-containing firefighting foams were historically widely used across many industries worldwide, including at Argyle. We continue to assess and manage legacy environmental impacts associated with this historical use.
“Our priority is to deliver a safe, stable and culturally respectful closure while ensuring the site’s long-term environmental outcomes are actively monitored and managed. We recognise that confidence needs to be earned through our actions over time. Our focus is on meeting the commitments we have made, being transparent about our progress and the challenges that remain, and working through concerns with Traditional Owners.”
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