Argyle Pink Diamond Tender Sets Records

RAPAPORT... Rio Tinto broke records at its 2018 Argyle Pink DiamondsTender as a 2.28-carat stone became the most valuable in the event's 34-yearhistory, the miner said. The fancy-purplish-red Argyle Muse was the top seller at thetender, going to an unnamed buyer for an undisclosed amount, Rio Tinto said lastweek. In addition, the Argyle Alpha, an emerald-cut, 3.14-carat diamond, set arecord 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, weighinga combined 51.48 carats. Gemcut Geneva successfully bid on several of those,including the round-brilliant, 2.08-carat, fancy-intense-pink Argyle Odyssey, RioTinto said. Israel-based colored-diamond company Leibish & Co. alsowon several stones, including the Kimberley Rose, a 2.34-carat fancy-intensepink. "The 2018 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender was highly soughtafter, with record results that underscore the value of these gems in thehistory of rare colored diamonds," said Rio Tinto copper and diamonds CEOArnaud Soirat. The Argyle mine in Western Australia is nearing the end ofits operational life, with Rio Tinto expecting to produce diamonds at the assetuntil 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)