Argyle Pink Diamonds 2014 Tender On Show In Sydney

(IDEX Online) – Rio Tinto has unveiled its Argyle pink diamonds tender at a preview in Sydney. The 2014 collection features a record four rare fancy red diamonds.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the tender, the 2014 Argyle pink diamonds tender collection is comprised of 55 diamonds, including 51 pink and purplish-red diamonds and four fancy red diamonds.

Just 13 fancy red diamonds have been included in the annual tender during the past 30 years. The standout red stone is a 1.21-carat radiant-cut fancy red diamond called Argyle Cardinal after a small red northern American bird, the firm said in a statement.

Rio Tinto Diamonds' Managing Director Jean-Marc Lieberherr said, “Decades ago, no one would have believed that Australia held the secret of diamonds, let alone virtually the world’s entire source of rare pink and red diamonds. The pinnacle of the production from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine, the annual pink tender diamonds are now celebrated internationally as amongst the rarest and most valuable diamonds in the world.

"We have seen and continue to see sustained demand and price growth for Argyle pink diamonds.”

Among the other diamonds in the 2014 collection, and which are in keeping with the theme of rare and beautiful birds from around the world, are the Argyle Rosette, a 2.17-carat fancy intense purple-pink emerald-cut diamond, and the Argyle Toki, a 1.59-carat fancy intense purplish-pink emerald-cut stone.

Viewings of the collection are being held in Sydney, New York, Hong Kong and Perth, with bids closing on October 8.