Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
As Argyle Nears Its End, Prices for Reds and Pinks Soar
The most valuable diamond sold at this year’s tender, a 2.28-carat fancy purplish-red, toppled a record set just last year.

They are climbing and will continue to do so as the closing date for the Argyle Mine in Western Australia draws closer.
And though the London-based miner always has been tight-lipped about the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender results—it doesn’t reveal the sale’s total, prices paid for individual diamonds or names of buyers (unless allowed)—it did note that the 2018 sale set numerous records, including tender total and prices per carat.
The diamond that sold for the most money was the “Argyle Muse,” a 2.28-carat fancy purplish-red oval. Purchased by an undisclosed bidder, Muse is now the most expensive diamond sold in the 34-year history of the tender.
Muse took the title from Everglow, the fancy red Optimum Diamonds LLC bought last year.
Though he declined to reveal the Everglow’s purchase price, Optimum CEO David Shara said the 2.11-carat diamond is for sale for $18 million.
It is also being offered as part of a collection of more than 60 red diamonds amassed by the CEO and his business partner; he said it is the largest collection of its kind in the world and is worth about $200 million.
For Shara, natural colored diamonds, particularly those originating from the Argyle mine, are akin to a “very specific painting from a very specific artist.”
The wealthy want to own rare diamonds from Argyle for the same reason they are paying huge amounts of money for works for art, like the $450 million a Saudi prince spent on Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” last year—they want to park their money in tangible, portable assets at a time of geopolitical instability worldwide.
“That’s how people are treating these rocks,” he said.
The desire for colored diamonds is also evident in the auction market, where the stones are continually setting records.
At a jewelry auction just last week, Christie’s sold an 18.96-carat pink diamond for $50.4 million, or $2.6 million a carat excluding fees, a new price-per-carat record. And the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction is still a pink diamond, the nearly 60-carat Pink Star, which sold for $71 million.
According to Shara’s estimates, the prices paid for a 1-carat vivid pink or a 1-carat fancy red in this year’s Argyle tender were up 41 percent year-over-year, and he expects prices for Argyle pinks and reds to spike at least another 40 percent when the mine closes 18 months from now.
“That’s what the market dictated, the dealers and the privates, everyone who bought. That’s people understanding the mine will be closed in 2020 and that there will be two, maximum three, more tenders and that’s it. It’s finished.”
Rio Tinto did not respond when asked to confirm this fact, but the mining company did state in its tender results press release that in the past 18 years, the value of Argyle pink diamonds sold at the tender have appreciated more than 400 percent, outperforming all major equity markets.
Shara said despite the continual upward trajectory, he’s not concerned about the bottom falling out of the market for Argyle’s pink, red and violet diamonds. While there has been some price correction in colored diamonds, Rio Tinto’s mine is a finite resource for which the finale is drawing near.
“That’s what so fascinating about it. That’s my gamble.”
Rio Tinto’s 2018 sale of pink, red and violet diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Western Australia included a total of 63 diamonds weighing nearly 52 carats.
Among them were a half-dozen “hero stones,” the top diamonds in the group to which Rio Tinto ascribes individual names.

In addition to the Muse, they were the:
—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.
Glajz THG in Singapore, a manufacturer of bespoke pieces, bought the Alpha, while Gemcut Geneva was the winning bidder for the Odyssey. Gemcut Chief Executive Matthew Aldridge said the Odyssey is a match for another Argyle stone sold in the tender about 15 years ago.

New York-based diamond company Leibish & Co. bought three stones in the 2018 tender, two of which sold the day they were purchased, said the company’s director of content marketing and public relations, Meira Ovadia.
Leibish’s remaining stone is lot No. 63 from the sale, a 2.34-carat radiant-cut the company has dubbed the “Kimberley-Rose.” The diamond is fancy intense pink and SI1 clarity.
The Latest

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.


The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

The event, set for June 13-15, will feature educational presentations and guided visits to the state’s sapphire mines.

After the black enamel band became a best-seller for the brand, it has now launched an enamel ring personalization program.

The Austin, Texas, jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot store is set to open this summer.

The rapper and singer-songwriter will perform at Tao Beach on June 8.

“Conversations with Chris Ploof” covers tips for men buying wedding bands, behind-the-scenes footage of Ploof in his studio, and more.

As lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.

The moves are part of the retailer’s new turnaround plan, “Grow Brand Love,” which also includes emphasizing brand loyalty over store banners.