Rio Tinto held its annual showcase of rare pink and red diamonds at the Argyle mine site in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia. The 64-diamond collection, including three Fancy Red diamonds and weighing 56.28 carats in total, make up the 2019 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender. Rio Tinto Copper & Diamonds chief executive Arnaud Soirat said: "These diamonds are a testament to the enormous range and depth of offering from the Argyle ore body, nearly four decades from when production commenced. Rio Tinto's Argyle mine is the first and only ongoing source of rare pink diamonds in history. With the lifecycle of this extraordinary mine approaching its end, we have seen, and continue to see, unstoppable demand for these truly limited-edition diamonds and strong value appreciation." The 2019 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender collection, entitled "The Quest for the Absolute" holds six - what Rio Tinto calls - "hero" diamonds: They are the Argyle Enigma, a 1.75 carat modified radiant Fancy Red diamond; the Argyle Amarim, a 1.48 carat heart shaped Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond; the Argyle Elysian, a .20 carat modified cushion shaped Fancy Vivid Pink diamond; the Argyle Verity, a 1.37 carat oval shaped Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond; the Argyle Opusâ„¢, 2.01 carat round shaped Fancy Intense Pink diamond. Pictured is the Argyle Enigma.
Rio Tinto's Argyle mine in Kimberly, the Argyle Opusa, has released its annual bounty of diamonds, among which are very rare red and pink stones. The mine, which opened 40 years ago and is now reaching the end of its productive life, is the only source of the stones in the world. The collection totals 64 diamonds, with a combined weight of 56.28 carats. "The Quest for the Absolute" collection includes what Rio Tinto describes as six red or pink "hero" diamonds, the largest being Western Australia, a 2.01-carat intense pink round-shaped stone.