SourcingOct 28, 2019
Up, Up, and Away: The Rise in Natural Colored Diamond PricesSourcingMay 27, 2021
Last Lots: See the Diamonds in the Final Argyle Pink Tender
The five “hero” stones include the largest fancy intense pink in the tender’s history.
PHOTO These are the final five “hero” diamonds from the Argyle mine. They are, from left to right, the Argyle Stella, Solaris, Eclipse, Lumiere and Boheme.
PHOTO Alongside the reds, pinks and purples, Rio Tinto is selling 41 lots of blue and violet diamonds totaling nearly 25 carats. It’s calling the collection “Once in a Blue Moon.”
Sydney—After 38 years, the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is on its last lots.
The mine that produced the tender’s increasingly sought-after red, pink, purple, and blue stones closed at the end of 2020, bringing to an end the annual invitation-only sale of some of the world’s rarest diamonds.
One U.S. diamond dealer who’s been buying Argyle diamonds since the late ‘80s likened the closing of the mine to the loss of a great artist.
“It is very special, especially to the people who are experts,” Larry West, president of L.J. West Diamonds Inc., said in an interview with National Jeweler last year.
“It’s a sad moment. It’s the equivalent of a great artist dying, as far as I’m concerned.”
Related stories will be right here …
The mine that produced the tender’s increasingly sought-after red, pink, purple, and blue stones closed at the end of 2020, bringing to an end the annual invitation-only sale of some of the world’s rarest diamonds.
One U.S. diamond dealer who’s been buying Argyle diamonds since the late ‘80s likened the closing of the mine to the loss of a great artist.
“It is very special, especially to the people who are experts,” Larry West, president of L.J. West Diamonds Inc., said in an interview with National Jeweler last year.
“It’s a sad moment. It’s the equivalent of a great artist dying, as far as I’m concerned.”
The 2021 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender consists of 70 diamonds weighing a total of 81.63 carats.
Of those, 43 (about 60 percent) are larger than a carat, a record number for the tender, Rio Tinto said.
As it does each year, the miner is highlighting a handful of the biggest and most beautiful diamonds in the sale.
Dubbed “hero” stones, they are: the Argyle Eclipse, a 3.47-carat fancy intense pink; Argyle Stella, a 1.79-carat fancy vivid purplish pink; Argyle Lumiere, a 2.03-carat fancy deep pink; Argyle Solaris, a 2.05-carat fancy intense pink; and the Argyle Bohème, a 1.01-carat fancy red diamond.
Being offered alongside the tender are 41 lots of blue and violet diamonds totaling 24.88 carats. The group is called “Once in a Blue Moon.”
There are 17 GIA-graded single stones and 24 groups of curated blue and violet diamonds. Buyers can bid on lots individually or the group collectively, Rio Tinto said.
The Eclipse is a 3.47-carat radiant-cut diamond that’s fancy intense pink in color. Rio Tinto said it’s the largest fancy intense pink diamond ever offered at its tender.
This 1.79-carat radiant-cut fancy vivid purplish pink diamond is named Stella.
The Lumiere, a 2.03-carat fancy deep pink diamond that’s a square radiant cut
This radiant-cut fancy intense pink is the Solaris. It weighs 2.05 carats.
The Bohème, a 1.01-carat radiant-cut fancy red
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.
Over the years, prices for the rare natural color diamonds the mine produces have climbed continuously.
Rio Tinto never releases prices paid for individual stones or the tender total, but it has provided some information on the rising value of the diamonds over the years.
Last year, Rio Tinto said the value of Argyle pink diamonds has appreciated more than 500 percent in the past 20 years, outperforming all major equity markets.
On Wednesday, Joseph Namdar, managing director of Namdar Inc., which specializes in colored diamonds, said he expects this final sale to set new record prices across the board, surpassing any of Rio Tinto’s past pink tenders.
“There is very strong global demand for their pink and red diamonds that is far greater than the supply, which is now said [by Rio Tinto] to be coming to an end,” he said.
Rio Tinto will showcase the 2021 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender in Perth and Sydney, Australia; Antwerp; and Singapore, with viewings subject to COVID-19 protocols in each location.
Bids close Sept 1.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
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 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
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.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 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.
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
