Rio Tinto Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender Achieves Highest Average Per-Carat Price

(IDEX Online News) – While the results of the Rio Tinto Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender are something of a secret, this year’s auction realized its highest average price per carat since the tender began in 1984 reflecting global demand and sustained price growth.

The most valuable of the 65 rare pink and red diamonds from the Argyle mine was Number 1, Argyle Prima™, a 1.2-carat Fancy Red pear shaped-diamond, which the company said was tightly contested for its unique combination of size, shape, color and clarity. The diamond was won by Sciens Coloured Diamond Fund 11 BV, for an undisclosed value.

The five “heroes” of the collection were sold to notable investors, collectors and retailers based in Europe, the US, China and the Middle East.

“We are delighted with this year’s results which are a reflection of the collectability of Argyle pink diamonds and global appreciation of their rarity, provenance and beauty,” said Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson

The 2015 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, known as the ‘Connoisseurs Collection” weighed a total of 44.14 carats and included four Fancy Red diamonds.