CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
SourcingJul 13, 2018
The 3.14-Carat ‘Alpha’ Diamond in Rio Tinto’s Tender
It is one of six “hero” stones in this year’s sale of exceptional pink, red and violet diamonds from the Argyle mine.
The 3.14-carat emerald-cut “Argyle Alpha” diamond is color-graded as a fancy vivid purplish-pink. It is one of the 63 red, pink and violet diamonds being offered in this year’s Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, which is being called the “Magnificent Argyle.”
Sydney—Rio Tinto just debuted the diamonds in this year’s Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, its annual sale of the best pink, red and violet stones to emerge from its mine in Western Australia.
The 2018 tender comprises 63 diamonds totaling 51.48 carats. It’s bigger than last year’s offering, which had 58 diamonds totaling 49.39 carats and included the largest red diamond in tender history.
This year’s superlatives include the biggest vivid pink diamond in tender history, the 3.14-carat stone dubbed the “Argyle Alpha,” and the weightiest purplish-red, the 2.28-carat “Argyle Muse.”
The diamond mining company described the Muse as having “an unrivaled potency of color,” and noted that the 7.39-carat rough diamond from which it was cut yielded another stone in the 2018 tender, a 0.63-carat purplish-red stone.
The Muse and the Alpha are two of the diamonds selected as “hero stones,” the handful of diamonds Rio Tinto considers to be exceptional and names in each tender.
This year, there are a half-dozen heroes. Here is the complete list:
—Argyle Muse, a 2.28-carat fancy purplish-red oval;
—Argyle Alpha, a 3.14-carat emerald-cut fancy vivid purplish-pink;
—Argyle Maestro, a 1.29-carat square-cut fancy vivid purplish-pink;
—Argyle Alchemy, a 1.57-carat fancy dark gray-violet princess;
—Argyle Odyssey, a 2.08-carat fancy intense pink round brilliant; and
—Argyle Mira, a 1.12-carat fancy red radiant.
Each diamond, along with its name and characteristics, is pictured in the slideshow below.
The Alchemy is a 1.57-carat princess-cut diamond color-graded as a fancy dark gray-violet diamond.
The Alpha is a 3.14-carat emerald-cut fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond. It is the largest fancy vivid pink ever included in the tender and is the largest hero stone this year.
The Maestro is a 1.29-carat radiant-cut fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond.
This is the 1.12-carat fancy red radiant-cut diamond dubbed the Mira.
The 2.28-carat Muse is an oval-shaped fancy purplish-red diamond and is the largest purplish-red in tender history. Rio Tinto has been holding its Argyle tender annually since 1984.
This 2.08-carat round brilliant fancy intense pink has been named the Odyssey.
The six “hero” stones of the 2018 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, from left to right: the Argyle Mira, Odyssey, Alpha, Muse, Maestro and Alchemy.
The diamond mining company, which is based in Perth, Australia, and mines its colored diamonds at the Argyle mine in Western Australia, premiered the collection in Sydney Thursday.
The stones will travel next to Hong Kong in September (coinciding with the jewelry trade show there) and New York in early October, with bids closing Oct. 10.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
