Rare Red Diamonds to Heat Up Rio Tinto’s Argyle Tender

Published on: May 21st, 2013

By Erika Winters

Rio Tinto’s annual Pink Diamonds Tender showcases some of the world’s rarest fancy-colored diamonds from the Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia. And for the first time in the mine’s 30-year history, three rare red diamonds will be offered at the exclusive sale. The largest of the red diamonds is the 1.56-carat Argyle Phoenix, named in honor of the new Argyle underground mine.

“Since mining began in 1983 only six diamonds certified as Fancy Red by the Gemological Institute of America have been presented for sale at the annual Tender.
To have three of these rare red diamonds in one Tender is a very special moment in time,” said Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson.

The 2013 tender is comprised of 64 diamonds, including 58 pink diamonds, three fancy red diamonds, and three blue diamonds. The tender showcases the mine’s best production from the year.

The collection includes a remarkable group of “hero” stones, and for the first time in eight years, a diamond over three carats will be featured at the tender, the 3.02-carat fancy-intense orangy-pink diamond named the Argyle Imperial. And an unusual .71-carat heart-shaped blue diamond named the Argyle Celestial is expected to sell with a matching fancy pink diamond.

The 2013 tender viewings will be held in Perth and Hong Kong with previews in Sydney, New York, and Tokyo.

The 1.56-carat fancy red 'Argyle Phoenix' with two fancy red diamonds

The 1.56-carat Argyle Phoenix, the largest fancy red diamond ever offered at tender, is flanked by two fancy red diamonds from the 2013 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender collection.

Fancy-color diamonds from the 2013 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender Collection

Left to right: Argyle Aurelia, 1.18-carat oval fancy-intense purplish-pink diamond • Argyle Phoenix, 1.56-carat fancy red diamond • Argyle Seraphina, 2.02-carat fancy-intense purple-pink diamond • Argyle Celestial, 0.71-carat fancy dark grey-blue diamond

The 0.71 Argyle Celestial blue diamond with a twin pink diamond