CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
SourcingSep 24, 2020
The Next to Last Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender Is Here
The mine that produces the pink stones, as well red and purple diamonds, is set to close at the end of the year.
The six “hero” stones from the 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender are, from left to right, the Argyle Sakura, Infinité, Skylar, Eternity, Ethereal and Emrys.
Sydney—The red, pink and purple diamonds in the penultimate Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender are making their rounds, mostly virtually of course.
The Rio Tinto-owned diamond mine, one of the few sources of pink diamonds and the largest supplier of natural color diamonds in the world, has reached the end of its life.
Production will cease at the end of the year, and there will be only one more pink diamonds tender, in 2021 based on 2020 production.
After that, Rio Tinto said, it will take five years to decommission and dismantle the mine and begin rehabilitation of the land.
The closing of Argyle is, as diamond dealer and natural color diamond specialist Larry West put it, the end of an era.
Alluvial mining began at Argyle in 1983 and open-pit mining in 1985, with the mine going fully underground in 2013.
West has been buying diamonds from the mine since the late ‘80s, the first American to begin buying the stones and one of the few dealers who didn’t come from an established diamond company with financial backing.
He built up his business over the decades, buying and recutting many significant Argyle stones.
This includes the diamond he classifies as his favorite: the 2.83-carat “Argyle Violet” from the 2016 tender, one of the rarest diamonds in the world.
“It is very special, especially to the people who are experts,” said West, president of L.J. West Diamonds Inc., of the mine. “It’s a sad moment. It’s the equivalent of a great artist dying, as far as I’m concerned.”
The Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is comprised of the best of a year’s production.
This year, the tender, called “One Lifetime, One Encounter” as a nod to the mine’s pending closure, totals 62 diamonds weighing 57.23 carats.
It is led by six “hero” stones ranging in size from 0.33 to 2.45 carats, the Argyle Ethereal, a square-cut radiant fancy intense purple-pink diamond.
Also included are 12 “carefully curated” sets of small pink, red, blue and violet diamonds weighing 13.90 carats in total. Called “The Petite Suites,” the lots were assembled over a five-year period.
See: The 6 ‘Hero’ Stones of the 2020 Argyle Tender
A 0.33-carat heart-shaped fancy dark gray-violet diamond, the Argyle Skylar
The Emrys, a 0.43-carat princess-cut fancy deep grayish-violetish blue diamond
The Argyle Infinité, a 0.70-carat oval-shaped fancy dark violet-gray diamond
This fancy vivid purplish-pink pear-shaped diamond is 1.84 carats and is called the Argyle Sakura.
Lot No. 1 in the tender is the Argyle Eternity. At 2.24 carats, it is the largest fancy vivid round brilliant ever offered at the tender.
The largest hero stone in this year’s tender is the 2.45-carat Argyle Ethereal, a square-cut radiant fancy intense purple-pink diamond.
Like almost all other events this year, COVID-19 impacted the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender.
Rio Tinto skipped the stones’ usual world tour—which normally makes a stop in New York—did virtual viewings, and pushed back and reduced the number of in-person viewings.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Those will take place in three places: Antwerp, Singapore and in Perth in Western Australia, where the mine is located.
Bids, which normally close in October, don’t close until Dec. 2 this year.
Also overshadowing one of the final sales of some of the rarest diamonds in the world is the recent resignation of top Rio Tinto executives after the mining company destroyed a site revered by Indigenous Australians.
The miner announced two weeks ago Chief Executive Jean-Sébastien Jacques, along with two other executives, would step down amid the fallout from the company’s destruction of 46,000-year-old rock shelters in Western Australia sacred to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people.
Bids, which normally close in October, don’t close until Dec. 2 this year.
Also overshadowing one of the final sales of some of the rarest diamonds in the world is the recent resignation of top Rio Tinto executives after the mining company destroyed a site revered by Indigenous Australians.
The miner announced two weeks ago Chief Executive Jean-Sébastien Jacques, along with two other executives, would step down amid the fallout from the company’s destruction of 46,000-year-old rock shelters in Western Australia sacred to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people.
The incident has damaged Rio Tinto’s reputation as a mining company and, the Financial Times noted in an article published earlier this month, underscored the growing importance of social responsibility.
Rio Tinto declined to comment when asked if the repercussions of the controversy have impacted interest in this year’s Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, citing an ongoing inquiry by the Parliament of Australia.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
