This year’s Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender has delivered “exceptional results” for Rio Tinto by achieving the highest average price per carat since its launch in 1984.
Rio Tinto Diamonds managing director Jean-Marc Lieberherr said the tender, which featured 54 pink and red diamonds, attracted a record number of more than 600 bids from ten countries.
“We are delighted with this result which reflects the global appeal and enduring value for these increasingly rare and iconic gems,” he said.
The Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender has been a landmark event on the global diamonds calendar since its inception in Antwerp 1984.
Whilst bids and total values remain confidential, Rio Tinto did reveal that overall prices for Argyle’s signature pink diamonds have more than tripled since 2000.
The most valuable diamond in the 2014 collection is the Argyle Cardinal, a 1.21 carat radiant cut Fancy Red diamond which was sold to one of Argyle’s exclusive retailers, Melbourne-based Glenn Bakker Jewels, for an undisclosed amount.
Speaking after his successful bid, Bakker said “this red diamond is of exceptional rarity and as its custodian I am humbled to be a part of its incredible journey that spans more than 1.6 billion years”.
“It gives me the rarest of opportunities to develop a creation that will dignify its place in Australian history.”
In its 30 year history the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender has offered only 13 Fancy Red diamonds, with just three of these gems larger than one carat.
Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson said “each of these rare diamonds is a miniature masterpiece and appreciation of their value and beauty continues to rise.”