Argyle: The Exceptional, Rare and Pink Diamond

A 2.02 ct octagon fancy deep pink / I2 diamond from the Argyle tender

At Rio Tinto’s Argyle Pink Tender during its three stops around the world – New York, Perth and Hong Kong, some 100 diamond firms are viewing 65 pink, red and violet diamonds.

In advance a catalogue is sent to the invitees, in order for them to be taken to retailers and to consumers who have assess and to have interest in the market for the goods. According to senior sales executive Gavin Pearce, 60 – 65 percent of all pink diamonds are sold mostly in Japan, which is why in addition to the GIA certification, they are also certified by AGT. A viewing of the diamonds, arranged for IDEX Online at a non-disclosed location, revealed an array of diamonds that is needed to be seen and to be truly appreciated.

In addition to this diamonds, a number of purplish reds and deep pinks, a rare grey-violet diamonds are also offered. Rio Tinto is in the process of expanding the Argyle mine, which supplies more than 90 percent of the world’s pink diamonds. Currently in an open mine, a deeper underground mine will extend the mine’s life up to 2018.

The global supply of these diamonds is now dwindling. At the end of the closed tender the submitted bids will be compared and bidder's winners are notified. Due to the increasing rarity of these precious gems, Argyle expects the results to be higher than usual. Naturally, they are not disclosing how high.