SourcingNov 07, 2022
More Than 100 Pink Diamonds Are Now On ViewSourcingJan 24, 2023
Tiffany Buys 35 of the Last Diamonds Recovered From Argyle
Purchased directly from Rio Tinto, the collection consists of pinks, purples and one red, none larger than 1.52 carats.
Tiffany & Co. announced Tuesday that it’s bought a collection of 35 pink and purple diamonds Rio Tinto recovered in the final days of mining at Argyle. Two of the diamonds are pictured here. (Image credit: Tiffany & Co.)
New York—Tiffany & Co. has purchased 35 diamonds from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia, a “final bespoke curation” of the rarest stones from the now-closed mine, the jeweler said.
Reported in Sunday’s New York Times and formally announced by Tiffany Tuesday morning, the retailer bought the diamonds directly from Rio Tinto, which unearthed the diamonds in the mine’s final days.
The cache, dubbed the “Tiffany Collection,” comprises fancy intense pink, fancy intense purplish-pink, fancy vivid pink, fancy vivid purplish-pink and deep pink diamonds, as well as one fancy red diamond.
They range in size from 0.35 carats to 1.52 carats, a typical size for the most desirable pink and purple diamonds from the mine though, Tiffany noted, there are two diamonds over 1 carat. (The biggest vivid pink diamond ever included in the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender was 3.14 carats, the aptly named “Argyle Alpha.”)
Tiffany is not disclosing the purchase price, though brand President and Chief Executive Anthony Ledru confirmed to the Times it was the jeweler’s largest purchase of 2022.
The jeweler said Tuesday it will show the diamonds to select clients for a limited time at “global Tiffany high jewelry events;” the Times reported the diamonds will be shown in New York City and Doha, Qatar.
Tiffany also will incorporate the pink diamonds into capsule collections and, potentially, pieces in Blue Book, its annual high jewelry catalog.
Located in Western Australia, the Argyle Diamond Mine opened with alluvial mining in 1983 and closed in November 2020, spelling the end of a major source of natural colored diamonds and removing a total of 11 million carats from the market, about 10 percent of global supply.
Though most of its production consisted of brown diamonds, Argyle became famous for its vivid pinks, reds, and purples, the best of which Rio Tinto took on a global tour each year for the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender.
Over time, the highly saturated stones became coveted collectors’ items, skyrocketing in price and becoming a brand all their own, literally.
After the mine closed, Rio Tinto retained “Argyle Pink Diamonds” as a brand.
Rio Tinto never released prices paid for individual stones or totals from any of the tenders, but in 2020 the miner said the value of Argyle pink diamonds had appreciated more than 500 percent in the past 20 years, outperforming all major equity markets.
Tiffany Chief Gemologist Victoria Wirth Reynolds said the collection Tiffany purchased showcases the range of colors Argyle produced and aligns with the retailer’s goal of being able to tell consumers the exact source of their diamonds.
“Not only are they incredibly rare, but these diamonds also align perfectly with our Diamond Craft Journey initiative, whereby we provide our clients information on the provenance—or the region or countries of origin—for every newly sourced, individually registered diamond that we set in jewelry,” she said.
The debut of the 35-diamond “Tiffany Collection” marks the first time Rio Tinto has curated and named a bespoke collection in honor of a jeweler.
“We are delighted that this collection of rare Argyle Pink Diamonds, with their extraordinary Australian provenance and a story that began one-and-a-half billion years ago, are now entrusted to the unrivaled craftsmanship of Tiffany & Co.,” said Sinead Kaufman, chief executive of Rio Tinto Minerals.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
