Lab-GrownDec 01, 2023
Lightbox Teams Up With Brand Founded by Former Tiffany ExecThe lab-grown diamond brand also collaborated with the website The Future Rocks on a collection launching today.
SourcingMay 06, 2016
Rio Tinto Unveils ‘Impossibly Rare’ Violet Diamond
It is 2.83 carats, oval cut, GIA color-graded as a fancy deep grayish blue violet and will lead Rio Tinto’s Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender this year.
The 2.83-carat Argyle Violet is “impossibly rare and limited by nature,” said Patrick Coppens, general manager of sales for Rio Tinto Diamonds, and will be “highly sought after for its beauty, size and provenance.”
Melbourne, Australia--Last year, Rio Tinto made an astounding discovery at its Argyle mine in Western Australia and never said a word about it.
The diamond mining company unearthed a 9.17-carat piece of rough that yielded a stone Rio Tinto Diamonds’ Patrick Coppens describes as “impossibly rare”--a 2.83-carat fancy deep grayish blue violet diamond that it dubbed the “Argyle Violet.”
It is the largest violet diamond ever recovered from the mine. And now it will embark on a world tour, of sorts, as part of the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender.
The Gemological Institute of America assigned the oval-shaped stone a color grade of fancy deep grayish blue violet. In a peer-reviewed article in the spring 2009 edition of Gems & Gemology, the GIA noted that the Argyle mine is the world’s only known source of type IaB hydrogen- and nitrogen-rich diamonds colored gray to blue to violet. The article also noted that the more violet-hued stones in this range are colored by nickel defects.
Rio Tinto said the Argyle Violet has a clarity of SI1.
When asked for an estimated sale price, the mining company said it is difficult to know what the stone will sell for given the rarity of violet diamonds but noted that “violet diamonds sit in the limited company of red diamonds as an indicator of value.”
In November 2014, Christie’s Hong Kong auctioned a heart-shaped 2.09-carat SI2 fancy red for $5.1 million, or $2.44 million per carat.
If the Argyle Violet garners the same per-carat price, its sale price will total nearly $7 million.
The oval-shaped Argyle Violet will be the star of the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, Rio Tinto’s annual sale of rare diamonds from its Argyle mine in Western Australia. The mine produces 90 percent of the world’s pink diamonds.
The tender will commence with private trade viewings in June, traveling to Copenhagen, Hong Kong and New York. More details on other diamonds in the tender will be released at its launch in Copenhagen in early June.
The closing bid date for the tender is Oct. 12.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
FinancialsDec 01, 2023
Movado Lowers Guidance Again After Q3 Sales DipThe company said it is facing a “challenging retail environment” but is prepared for the holiday season.
CollectionsDec 01, 2023
Piece of the Week: Muzo’s Emerald and Argyle Pink Diamond NecklaceIt’s the hero piece of the newest "Green Jewel" collection, a collaborative offering from the two mines.
Brought to you by
If It’s Custom, Make It PlatinumWith holiday proposals right around the corner, encourage your customers to go for platinum when making the big purchase.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
This Pink Diamond Reigned Supreme in Hong KongThe 15.48-carat fancy intense “Pink Supreme” topped Christie’s fall jewelry auction in Asia, while a Patek Philippe led the watch sale.
Weekly QuizNov 30, 2023
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
MajorsNov 30, 2023
Claire’s Hires Former Bath & Body Works Exec as CFO, COOChris Cramer, who also spent time at Gen Z intimates brand Parade, will take on the dual role.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
Sotheby’s To Auction 133-Carat Yellow DiamondThe stone headlining the upcoming sale could fetch up to $5 million.
Brought to you by
Did You Know? The Vital Role of IGI: The International Gemological InstituteIn a world where the sparkle of a gemstone is only as brilliant as the trust behind it, IGI's purpose is truly invaluable.
IndependentsNov 30, 2023
Frank Adams Rolls Out Kwiat’s ‘Mine to Shine’ ProgramThe retail offering lets customers track their diamond’s journey.
SurveysNov 29, 2023
Holiday Shoppers Broke a Record This Weekend, Says NRFFrom Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, 200.4 million consumers shopped online and in stores.
MajorsNov 29, 2023
Cast Debuts at Nordstrom, Closes on More VC FundingThe growing company also plans to open more of its own boutiques.
EditorsNov 29, 2023
Warren Buffett on Success, Mistakes and Betting on AmericaThe best quotes from the Oracle of Omaha and his right-hand man Charlie Munger from the 2018 Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting.
IndependentsNov 28, 2023
Maine Jeweler to Relocate After 76 YearsJ. Dostie Jewelers will move from Lewiston to Yarmouth this spring.
IndependentsNov 28, 2023
Fink’s Jewelers Opens 10th StoreIt’s the company’s second location in Tennessee.
AuctionsNov 28, 2023
Mary Tyler Moore’s Jewelry Is Up For Auction You can have this jewelry, why don’t you take it?
Events & AwardsNov 28, 2023
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Is Celebrating 60 YearsNext year’s milestone show will be full of educational programming and collaborations.
EditorsNov 27, 2023
10 Tips for Selling Diamonds This Holiday SeasonSales experts and a diamantaire share their best advice on how to send customers home with diamond jewelry.
CollectionsNov 27, 2023
See the New ‘Platinum Born’ JewelryThe brand has released five new collections.
IndependentsNov 27, 2023
Frank Adams Jewelers Named ‘Family Business of the Year’The Albany Business Review recently honored the 100-year-old company.
GradingNov 27, 2023
Dr. John W. Valley Retires from GIA Board of GovernorsTo honor his legacy, GIA has set up a scholarship in his name.
CrimeNov 22, 2023
JSA Warns of Surge in Attacks on Jewelers on the RoadThere have been eight attacks in the last month, spanning from a jewelry store parking lot in Rhode Island to highways in California.
TrendsNov 22, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: November GlowThese 15 pieces of jewelry celebrate November babies and the hues of citrine and topaz that reflect the colors of the season.
MajorsNov 22, 2023
Facet Barcelona Opens New Factory in SpainThe jewelry manufacturer said it can now better serve the North American market.
TechnologyNov 21, 2023
See David Yurman’s New High-Tech Holiday Campaign The jewelry brand takes viewers through a virtual winter wonderland set in New York City.
Events & AwardsNov 21, 2023
Here Are the Winners of BIJC’s Inaugural ‘Rock the Jewels’ AwardsThe organization recognized outstanding industry players at its celebratory event.
SourcingNov 21, 2023
De Beers’ Rough Diamond Sales Sink to $80M India’s voluntary moratorium on rough diamond imports coupled with a stunted recovery in China continue to impact the miner.
ColumnistsNov 21, 2023
The Smart Lab: Score Big During Football Season With Hulu AdvertisingEmmanuel Raheb outlines three reasons why Hulu advertising and football can be a game changer for your jewelry store’s marketing.
