Rio Tinto yesterday unveiled the 63 diamonds that will constitute the 2018 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, including the largest Vivid Pink diamond that has ever been presented since Argyle launched these tenders in 1984.  The collection was introduced by Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques at a world exclusive preview in Sydney.

Named The Argyle Alpha™, the 3.14 carat polished emerald cut diamond leads the dazzling line-up of 63 rare pink, red and violet diamonds that will be showcased in Sydney, Hong Kong and New York over the next few months, with bids closing on 10 October 2018. 

Speaking at the launch, Jacques said, “Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine is the world’s only source of these highly coveted pink, red and violet diamonds and we expect considerable interest in this year’s collection. The combination of strong demand and extremely limited world supply continues to support significant value appreciation for Argyle pink diamonds.” 

The 2018 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender has been named ‘Magnificent Argyle’ in honour of Argyle’s role in charting the history of the world’s most coveted diamonds, the company said.

The 63 diamonds in the Tender weigh a total of 51.48 carats – including five Fancy Red diamonds, two Purplish Red diamonds and three Violet diamonds.

Rio Tinto said that Lot 1, The Argyle Muse™, a 2.28 carat polished oval diamond, the dazzling centre piece of the collection, is the largest purplish red diamond ever offered at Tender. It was described as having “an unrivalled potency of colour (which) will be keenly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs from around the world”. This diamond originated from a 7.39 carat rough diamond that yielded a second purplish red diamond for inclusion in the 2018 Tender (Lot number 9).

The 2018 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender collection comprises six ‘hero’ diamonds selected for their unique beauty and named to ensure there is a permanent record of their contribution to the history of the world’s most important diamonds:  

• Lot 1: Argyle Muse™, 2.28 carat oval shaped Fancy Purplish Red diamond
• Lot 2: Argyle Alpha™, 3.14 carat emerald shaped Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond
• Lot 3: Argyle Maestro™, 1.29 carat square radiant shaped Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond
• Lot 4: Argyle Alchemy™, 1.57 carat princess shaped Fancy Dark Gray-Violet diamond
• Lot 5: Argyle Odyssey™, 2.08 carat round brilliant shaped Fancy Intense Pink diamond
• Lot 6: Argyle Mira™, 1.12 carat radiant shaped Fancy Red diamond

Pic caption: The Argyle Alpha™, the largest ever vivid pink diamond to be presented at an Argyle tender

Pic courtesy: Argyle Pink Diamonds