Rio Tinto’s 2009 Argyle Pink Diamond Tender is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its pink diamonds with this year’s Grand Passions tender collection – comprising 43 of the rarest and best pink diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle Diamond Mine in WA.
The centrepiece of the collection is a 2.61carat intense pink heart-shaped diamond named Argyle Amour which is the most valuable heart-shaped pink diamond ever produced from the Argyle mine.
The two other “hero” stones are the Argyle Shalimar diamond, a 1.25 carat purplish pink round diamond, and the Argyle Scarlett diamond, a 1.10 carat red oval diamond.
Argyle Pink Diamonds business manager Josephine Archer said the pink diamonds selected for this year’s tender are “a fitting tribute to the artistry and passion of all those who worked to bring them to the market place”.
“These diamonds are for appreciators of the truly exceptional and we are delighted to be showcasing them to the world.”
Jean-Marc Lieberherr, general manager for the sales and marketing of all diamonds from Rio Tinto’s diamond mines, added that the excitement surrounding this year’s tender is “understandable” as “the rarity of Argyle pink diamonds has created a connoisseurship for them and there is a growing recognition that the earth will not produce pink diamonds for that much longer”.
The Argyle Diamond Mine is expected to stop producing pink diamonds in around 10 years.
Tender viewings will be held in Mumbai (August 6-10), Perth (September 1-11) and Hong Kong (September 19-27).