Rio Tinto has unveiled its collection for the 2019 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender at an exclusive preview at the Argyle mine site in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia.

The annually held Argyle Pink Diamond Tender has gained renown as Rio Tinto’s “annual showcase of the world’s rarest pink and red diamonds”. This year the collection features 64 diamonds weighing 56.28 carats in total. The collection includes three Fancy Red diamonds.    

Rio Tinto Copper & Diamonds Chief Executive Arnaud Soirat said: “I am delighted to be at the Argyle mine for this exclusive world preview. These diamonds, each a natural treasure, are a testament to the enormous range and depth of offering from the Argyle ore body, nearly four decades from when production commenced.”

He added: “Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine is the first and only ongoing source of rare pink diamonds in history. With the lifecycle of this extraordinary mine approaching its end, we have seen, and continue to see, unstoppable demand for these truly limited-edition diamonds and strong value appreciation.”

Soirat also paid tribute to “the bold and innovative spirit of employees, communities, customers and suppliers and all those who have contributed to one of the great diamond mines of the world.”

The 2019 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender collection is titled “The Quest for the Absolute” and includes six hero diamonds, the details of which are as below:

Lot 1: Argyle Enigma™, 1.75 carat modified radiant Fancy Red diamond

Lot 2: Argyle Amari™, 1.48 carat heart shaped Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond

Lot 3: Argyle Elysian™, 1.20 carat modified cushion shaped Fancy Vivid Pink diamond

Lot 4: Argyle Verity™,1.37 carat oval shaped Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond

Lot 5: Argyle Opus™, 2.01 carat round shaped Fancy Intense Pink diamond

Lot 6: Argyle Avenoir™, 1.07 carat oval shaped Fancy Red diamond

Rio Tinto will showcase the 2019 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender in Perth, Hong Kong and New York; bids for the tender will close on October 9, 2019.

Pic: The Six Hero Diamonds of the 2019 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender

Pic Courtesy: Rio Tinto