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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
Policies & IssuesApr 02, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
