Rio Tinto’s 2.11-Carat Red Is Its Most Valuable Diamond Ever

Melbourne, Australia--Earlier this year, Rio Tinto presented the largest red diamond it’s ever recovered from its Argyle mine in Australia.

Now, the miner has announced that the stone is the most valuable diamond in its 33-year tender history.

Optimum Diamonds LLC, a company that specializes in rare, natural fancy color diamonds, bought the 2.11-carat radiant-cut fancy red “Argyle Everglow” for an undisclosed sum. Optimum also won the tender’s fifth lot, the “Argyle Liberte,” a 0.91-carat violet diamond.

Optimum Diamonds’ CEO David Shara commented in a news release, “Optimum Diamonds is delighted to have won the Argyle Everglow. This historic red diamond is one of the diamond world’s rarest treasures and it is a privilege to be able to add it to Optimum’s collection. The Argyle Liberte is a mesmerizing violet diamond that fits perfectly with Optimum’s quest for the truly exceptional in the world of fancy colored diamonds.”

Rio Tinto said that its entire 2017 tender, comprised of 58 pink, red and violet diamonds, earned a record result for the company, proving there is high demand for rare, fancy color diamonds.

Graff Diamonds won the tender’s third lot, a 2.42-carat cushion-cut pink diamond called the “Argyle Avaline,” the largest pink diamond Rio Tinto offered this year.


Graff founder and Chairman Laurence Graff said: “We have always been passionate about pink diamonds; acquiring these incredible miracles of nature is a pleasure and an honor. We will take great care to respect the delicate beauty of Argyle Avaline as we craft a setting for this exquisite and exceptionally rare diamond.”