Argyle Pink Diamond Tender Sets Records

RAPAPORT… Rio Tinto broke records at its 2018 Argyle Pink Diamonds
Tender as a 2.28-carat stone became the most valuable in the event’s 34-year
history, the miner said.



The fancy-purplish-red Argyle Muse was the top seller at the
tender, going to an unnamed buyer for an undisclosed amount, Rio Tinto said last
week. In addition, the Argyle Alpha, an emerald-cut, 3.14-carat diamond, set a
record as the largest and most valuable vivid-pink diamond in the tender’s history,
with Singapore-based Glajz THG purchasing it.


Some 63 pink, red and violet stones were on offer, weighing
a combined 51.48 carats. Gemcut Geneva successfully bid on several of those,
including the round-brilliant, 2.08-carat, fancy-intense-pink Argyle Odyssey, Rio
Tinto said.


Israel-based colored-diamond company Leibish & Co. also
won several stones, including the Kimberley Rose, a 2.34-carat fancy-intense
pink.


“The 2018 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender was highly sought
after, with record results that underscore the value of these gems in the
history of rare colored diamonds,” said Rio Tinto copper and diamonds CEO
Arnaud Soirat.


The Argyle mine in Western Australia is nearing the end of
its operational life, with Rio Tinto expecting to produce diamonds at the asset
until the end of 2020.


Image: Diamonds from the tender, including the Argyle Muse (third from right), the Argyle Alpha (third from left) and the Argyle Odyssey (second from left). (Rio Tinto)