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
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
