The mining may have stopped at Rio Tinto’s world-famous Argyle Diamond Mine, but the rare gems are still making headlines around the world.

The big miner has unveiled its final showcase of the rare Argyle pink, red and blue diamonds from its east Kimberley mine.

The 2021 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is the final collection of diamonds extracted from the last year of operations at the mine. The Tender is a 38-year-old, invitation-only event, considered by many as the best in the world and drawing artisans, collectors, connoisseurs and luxury jewellery houses from all corners of the planet.

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The showcase consists of 70 diamonds weighing 81.63 carats, with a record number of diamonds larger than one carat. The star of the show is a 3.47 carat diamond that is the largest Fancy Intense Pink diamond ever offered at the Tender.

Rio Tinto CEO Minerals, Sinead Kaufman said, “I am delighted to launch this historic collection of extraordinary diamonds, a testament to the amazing Argyle ore body and the men and women who have worked so hard to bring these diamonds to market.”

  • Lot 5, Argyle Bohème ™ a 1.01 carat, Fancy Red, radiant diamond.
  • Lot 2, Argyle Stella™ a 1.79 carat, Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink, square radiant diamond.
    The largest Vivid Purplish Pink diamond offered in this year’s Tender.
  • Lot 1, Argyle Eclipse™ a 3.47 carat, Fancy Intense Pink, radiant diamond.
    The largest Fancy Intense Pink stone offered in the 38-year history of the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender.
  • The 2021 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender hero diamonds
  • Titled Once in a Blue Moon, these are the very last blue and violet diamonds to emerge from the Argyle mine.
  • Rio Tinto’s Argyle Diamond Mine in the East Kimberley. PHOTO: Reise-Line

The Tender collection includes five ‘hero’ diamonds which have been selected for their uniqueness 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 Eclipse™, 3.47 carat, radiant shaped Fancy Intense Pink diamond
  • Lot 2: Argyle Stella™ 1.79 carat, square radiant shaped Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond
  • Lot 3:  Argyle Lumiere™ 2.03 carat, square radiant shaped Fancy Deep Pink diamond
  • Lot 4: Argyle Solaris™ 2.05 carat, radiant shaped Fancy Intense Pink diamond
  • Lot 5: Argyle Bohème™ 1.01 carat, radiant shaped Fancy Red diamond
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Offered alongside these in the 2021 Tender are 41 lots of Argyle blue diamonds, which are the very last blue and violet diamonds to be extracted from the mine.

Patrick Coppens, General manager of Sales and Marketing for Rio Tinto’s diamonds business said, “The Argyle pink diamond story has continued to enthral throughout the years following the remarkable discovery of the Argyle mine in 1979. 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.” 

The Tender will be showcased in Perth, Antwerp, Singapore and Sydney, with bids closing on September 1.