Rio Tinto has launched a new exclusive sales event celebrating the exceptionally rare masterpieces of nature from its diamond business. Known as The Beyond RareTM Tender, the inaugural collection features 48 lots of exceptional polished diamonds, including legacy inventory of pink and red diamonds from the Argyle diamond mine and yellow diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine.
Sinead Kaufman, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Minerals, said: “The Beyond Rare Tender marks a new chapter for Rio Tinto’s diamond business and is testament to the continued demand for highly collectible natural diamonds.
“Rio Tinto has a rich history of innovative diamond sales and marketing events and this carefully curated collection of rare gems will be highly sought after by the world’s finest jewellers, collectors and diamond connoisseurs.”
Titled The Art Series, this invitation-only event takes its inspiration from the art world, with each polished diamond an exceptional natural work of art with a prestigious provenance and a compelling story of rarity. The inaugural collection of The Art Series comprises 87 diamonds, totalling 29.96 carats, and includes
– Seven ‘Masterpieces’ comprising sets of Argyle Pink DiamondsTM and Diavik yellow diamonds, selected for their unique beauty and accompanied by bespoke artwork.
– A rare offering of 11 perfectly matched pairs of coloured diamonds
– 30 exquisite individual diamonds, including a remarkable Fancy Red Argyle diamond
The 48 lots will be on display in Australia, Switzerland and Belgium, with bids closing on 20 November 2023.
Patrick Coppens, General Manager of Sales and Marketing for Rio Tinto’s Diamond business, said: “The market fundamentals driving the value of Argyle pink and red diamonds have never been stronger – a combination of severely constrained supply with the closure of Argyle and unwavering global demand for truly scarce gems.
“The inclusion in the inaugural Beyond Rare Tender of two Fancy Intense Yellow diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine, located beneath a frozen lake in the barren lands of northern Canada, is a beautiful counterpoint to the pink and red Argyle diamonds from the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia. Yellow diamonds make up less than one per cent of Diavik’s production, a rarity in a diamond mine otherwise known for its coveted white diamond production.
