A rare 2.83-carat violet diamond unearthed from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine will be the centrepiece of its 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender.
Named ‘Argyle Violet,’ the diamond was discovered in 2015 and cut from a 9.17-carat rough stone. It is the largest violet diamond recovered from that mine.
“We are very excited to announce this historic diamond ahead of our tender launch,” said Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson. “This stunning violet diamond will capture the imagination of the world’s leading collectors and connoisseurs.”
More than 90 per cent of the world’s rare pink diamonds come from the Argyle mine, which is the only source of hydrogen-rich violet diamonds. These stones are seldom seen; Argyle has produced only 12 carats of polished violet diamonds for its tender in 32 years.
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has graded the ‘Argyle Violet’ as a fancy deep greyish-bluish violet.
“Impossibly rare and limited by nature, the ‘Argyle Violet’ will be highly sought-after for its beauty, size, and provenance,” said Rio Tinto Diamonds general manager of sales, Patrick Coppens.
The 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender will begin private trade viewings in June and travel to Copenhagen, Hong Kong, and New York.
