Rio Tinto Unveils $1.1M Argyle Jewels

RAPAPORT... Rio Tinto has unveiled a necklace-and-ring set worth $1.1million, created from 673 diamonds recovered from its Argyle mine in Australia. The jewels, called Argyle Dreaming, were handcrafted byjewelry designer John Calleija using pink, white, yellow, blue and champagnediamonds, as well as gold from Rio Tinto's Kennecott mine in the US, thecompany said last week. Pieces in the set, which took 800 hours to make, haveinterchangeable center stones. The 3.55-carat white diamond in the center ofthe necklace can be switched out for the champagne diamond in the ring. "This was a labor of love, an opportunity to work with theentire Argyle diamond color palette," Calleija noted. "I am thrilled with theArgyle Dreaming necklace and ring. They are a permanent record of the mostintriguing diamonds in the world, and a beautiful endeavor that highlights RioTinto's commitment to integrity and traceability in its diamonds and goldsupply chain." Rio Tinto will showcase the set in New York and Londonbefore returning it to Calleija's retail stores in Australia. Image: The Argyle Dreaming necklace. (Rio Tinto)