First State Auctions is offering more than a half-dozen Argyle pink diamonds in its August sale. The highlight is this 0.94-carat pink diamond that appeared in 2021 Argyle Pink Tender–Rio Tinto’s Final Collection.
Sydney—A pink diamond that appeared in the final tender of stones from the now-closed Argyle mine in Australia is up for auction via a sale that started earlier this week.
First State Auctions, a Sydney, Australia-based auction house, is offering a 0.94-carat radiant-cut fancy intense pink diamond with VS1 clarity, estimated to sell for $700,000 to $800,000 Australian dollars, or approximately $457,000 to $522,000 at current exchange rates.
A 0.94-carat radiant-cut fancy intense Argyle pink diamond, estimated to sell for up to $522,000
The stone’s color grade on the Argyle Pink Diamond Colour Guide is 6P, with 6 designating the intensity of hue (out of 10) and P indicating pink as the dominant hue.
The diamond was lot 60 in the 70-lot offering of the 2021 Argyle Pink Tender–Rio Tinto’s Final Collection, the 38th and last tender from the mine, which closed in 2020.
Alluvial mining began at Argyle, which is located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, in 1983 and open-pit mining in 1985. The mine went fully underground in 2013 and, over the years, produced 865 million carats of rough diamonds.
The annual tenders featured the best stones from each year’s production.
First State Auctions said its offering marks the first time an Argyle tender diamond from Rio Tinto’s final collection has been offered at public auction.
“We are honored to present this extraordinary diamond to the world,” said Ari Taibel, director at First State Auctions.
“The rarity and historical significance of this Argyle Tender Diamond make it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The legacy of the Argyle Diamond Mine and its exceptional diamonds will forever be remembered, and this auction allows us to celebrate that legacy.”
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The sale, which is already underway, also features a collection of five loose Argyle diamonds from the estate of the late founder of Loloma Jewellers.
Graham Jackson, who died at age 92 in May, owned Loloma Jewellers, located in Townsville, Australia.
The store closed in 2019 when he retired after more than 60 years, according to the retailer’s LinkedIn page.
The five loose stones from the estate are as follows:
— A 0.33-carat round brilliant-cut fancy deep pink champagne diamond with PC3 color and P1 clarity, with a Gem Studies Laboratory (GSL) report; — A 0.50-carat radiant-cut pink diamond with 4BP color, which the auction house said has been designated as 4PR and SI2 clarity, with an Argyle Pink Diamond Certificate; — A 1.14-carat emerald-cut pink diamond with PC2 color and SI2 clarity, with an Argyle Pink Diamond Certificate; — A 1.14-carat round brilliant-cut pink diamond with 3PR color and P1 clarity, with a GSL origin report; and — A 1-carat radiant-cut pink diamond with 2BP color, which the auction house said has been designated as 2PR and SI1 clarity, with an Argyle Pink Diamond Certificate.
Other Argyle offerings in the auction include a diamond ring set with a 0.97-carat radiant-cut diamond of 6PR color and P1 clarity, as well as a 0.25-carat loose round brilliant-cut fancy vivid purplish pink diamond.
Fine jewelry and watches by Cartier, Hermes, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Chopard, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Vacheron Constantin, Rolex, Piaget and more also are up for sale.
The auction began Monday and will run until Aug. 11.
Bidders can participate online and view in-person by appointment.
