Rio Tinto displayed 64 diamonds weighing a total of 56.28 carats, all from its Argyle mine site, in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia, the mining giant said today.
The diamonds make up the 2019 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender.
Rio Tinto highlighted six diamonds all at or under 2.01 carats:
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
The mine, nearly four decades old, is nearing its end.
“Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine is the first and only ongoing source of rare pink diamonds in history,” said Rio Tinto Copper & Diamonds chief executive, Arnaud Soirat, in a news release.
“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.”