SourcingSep 16, 2024
1,094-Carat Diamond Recovered in Botswana Just Weeks After Historic Find SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender
The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
Rio Tinto will offer 48 lots comprising a total of 76 diamonds in its 2024 Beyond Rare Tender, set to take place in Geneva later this fall.
London—Rio Tinto has announced the details of its 2024 Beyond Rare Tender, revealing the collection of rare pink, red, violet, and yellow diamonds on offer in the sales event’s second year.
Titled “Color Awakened,” the upcoming tender will feature 48 lots Rio Tinto is calling the “Art Series 02” collection.
The sale includes a total of 76 diamonds weighing 39.44 carats, all sourced from the miner’s now-closed Argyle mine in Australia and its Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada.
The sale is headlined by the “Old Masters,” the name Rio Tinto has given to a selection of seven round brilliant-cut pink and red diamonds sourced from the Argyle mine.
The stones range from 0.60 carats to 2.63 carats, and the group includes one fancy red diamond.
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. It closed in 2020.
Each of the “Old Masters” was unearthed from the mine more than a decade ago, one as far back as 1987, Rio Tinto said.
The mining company said each diamond was retrieved from private vaults and handpicked for inclusion in the tender.
Offered alongside the “Old Masters,” there are 32 single lots of pink and violet Argyle diamonds, including one fancy purplish red diamond.
The tender will also feature nine curated diamond sets.
One of the sets includes a 2.47-carat fancy intense yellow diamond, while another has a 4.04-carat D-color diamond.
“Each diamond in the ‘Art Series 02’ is a beautiful story of esteemed provenance, careful custody, and transformation into rare works of art,” said Patrick Coppens, general manager of sales and marketing for Rio Tinto’s diamonds business.
“This curated collection of exceptional gems will be in strong demand by the world’s finest jewelers, collectors and diamond connoisseurs.”
Related stories will be right here …
Titled “Color Awakened,” the upcoming tender will feature 48 lots Rio Tinto is calling the “Art Series 02” collection.
The sale includes a total of 76 diamonds weighing 39.44 carats, all sourced from the miner’s now-closed Argyle mine in Australia and its Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada.
The sale is headlined by the “Old Masters,” the name Rio Tinto has given to a selection of seven round brilliant-cut pink and red diamonds sourced from the Argyle mine.
The stones range from 0.60 carats to 2.63 carats, and the group includes one fancy red diamond.
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. It closed in 2020.
Each of the “Old Masters” was unearthed from the mine more than a decade ago, one as far back as 1987, Rio Tinto said.
The mining company said each diamond was retrieved from private vaults and handpicked for inclusion in the tender.
Offered alongside the “Old Masters,” there are 32 single lots of pink and violet Argyle diamonds, including one fancy purplish red diamond.
The tender will also feature nine curated diamond sets.
One of the sets includes a 2.47-carat fancy intense yellow diamond, while another has a 4.04-carat D-color diamond.
“Each diamond in the ‘Art Series 02’ is a beautiful story of esteemed provenance, careful custody, and transformation into rare works of art,” said Patrick Coppens, general manager of sales and marketing for Rio Tinto’s diamonds business.
“This curated collection of exceptional gems will be in strong demand by the world’s finest jewelers, collectors and diamond connoisseurs.”
Rio Tinto launched the Beyond Rare Tender sales event in October 2023, offering the first collection of the Art Series, titled “Born of this World.”
The miner said it has a “small quantity” of polished inventory that it unearthed in the final months of mining at Argyle.
Over the next two to three years, Rio Tinto will use the diamonds for special projects and creative collaborations like the Beyond Rare Tender and the Icon Partner Program, which it launched in 2022, tapping jewelers to develop limited-edition pieces with the remaining stones.
At an invitation-only launch event in London for the upcoming 2024 Beyond Rare Tender, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Minerals Sinead Kaufman said, “No other mining company in the world has custody of such a kaleidoscope of colored diamonds.
“Four years on from the closure of the Argyle mine, our Beyond Rare Tender platform is a testimony to the enduring prestige of the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand, the quality of production from our Diavik mine, and the ongoing demand for highly collectible natural diamonds.”
The lots will be showcased in London, Australia, Singapore, and Belgium.
Bids will close on Nov. 18.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth GenerationJake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic ManufacturingIn addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone JewelryThe “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First StoreThe seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s JewelersThe New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
Policies & IssuesJul 11, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief EffortsThe jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.
TrendsJul 11, 2025
Kelly Osbourne’s Engagement Ring Is Sweet as HoneyInspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.
