Photo courtesy Rio Tinto
Seventy pink and red diamonds weighing more than 81 carats total have been revealed as Rio Tinto’s final Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender.
The showcase, which features a collection of diamonds recovered during Australia’s Argyle Mine’s last year of production, includes a record number of diamonds larger than one carat, Rio Tinto says. The year’s largest stone is the 3.47-carat ‘Argyle Eclipse,’ which is the biggest fancy intense pink diamond ever offered at an Argyle Tender.
In addition to the Eclipse, the showcase—titled ‘The Journey Beyond’—includes:
- ‘Argyle Stella,’ a 1.79-carat, square radiant shaped fancy vivid purplish pink diamond;
- ‘Argyle Lumiere,’ a 2.03-carat, square radiant shaped fancy deep pink diamond;
- ‘Argyle Solaris,’ a 2.05-carat, radiant shaped fancy intense pink diamond; and
- ‘Argyle Bohème,’ a 1.01-carat, radiant shaped fancy red diamond.
“The Argyle pink diamond story has continued to enthral throughout the years following the remarkable discovery of the Argyle mine in 1979,” says Patrick Coppens, general manager of sales and marketing for Rio Tinto’s diamonds business. “The final tender collection of these beyond-rare diamonds will be keenly sought after as heritage gemstones of the future, coveted by collectors and connoisseurs from around the world.”
Also offered are 41 lots of Argyle blue diamonds, weighing a total of 24.88 carats. Titled ‘Once in a Blue Moon,’ the collection includes the last blue and violent diamonds recovered from Argyle.
“This final epoch-making offering of pink, red, and blue diamonds encapsulates the near-impossible rarity and compelling beauty of the natural treasures gifted to the world by the east Kimberley region of Western Australia,” says jewellery historian, Vivienne Becker.
Mining ceased at Argyle on Nov. 3, 2020.
The tender will be showcased in Perth, Antwerp, Singapore, and Sydney (subject to COVID protocols). Bids close on Sept. 1, 2021.
