Rio Tinto Pink Tender Closes With ‘Exceptional Results’

The Argyle Shalimar, a 1.25 carat purplish pink round diamond (above) was one of 43 diamonds sold at the 2009 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender

Titled Grand Passions, this year’s tender offered 43 pink diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia, including four heart shaped gems.

“This year’s collection was keenly contested by investors, collectors and diamond experts from around the world,” according to Jean-Marc Lieberherr, general manager for sales and marketing. “We were delighted to see strong representation from the growing markets of India and China, as well as the more established markets for rare colored diamonds.”

Josephine Archer, Business Manager for Argyle Pink Diamonds, added that the tender “results have demonstrated a significant global reach with very strong price appreciation.”

The Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender was showcased around the world from June to September with private viewings in Perth, London, Hong Kong, Sydney, and for the first time ever, Mumbai.

All 43 diamonds were cut and polished in Perth, Western Australia by Rio Tinto’s master craftsmen. This year’s collection included a 2.61 carat intense pink heart shaped diamond named Argyle Amour, a 1.25 carat purplish pink round diamond, Argyle Shalimar, and a 1.10 carat red oval diamond dubbed Argyle Scarlett.

According to Archer, “The ultimate consumers for these diamonds are likely to be investors, collectors, celebrities and high net worth individuals.”