Rio Tinto launches ‘Colour Awakened’ historic collection from Argyle diamond mine 

The Old Masters comprise seven round brilliant cut, pink and red diamonds, ranging in size from 0.60 carats to 2.63 carats. All unearthed from the mine over a decade ago – in one case, as far back as 1987 – each diamond has been carefully retrieved from private vaults and handpicked for inclusion in this year’s tender.  

“No other mining company in the world has custody of such a kaleidoscope of coloured diamonds,” Sinead Kaufman, chief executive of Rio Tinto Minerals said in the statement.  

“Four years on from the closure of the Argyle mine, our Beyond Rare Tender platform is a testimony to the enduring prestige of the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand, the quality of production from our Diavik mine, and the ongoing demand for highly collectible natural diamonds,” Kaufman said.

In addition to the Old Masters, the Art Series 02 includes legacy inventory of pink, red and violet diamonds from the Argyle diamond mine, together with white and yellow diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.  

In total there are 76 diamonds, weighing 39.44 carats, comprising seven Old Masters, including one Fancy Red diamond; 32 single lots of pink and violet diamonds, including one Fancy Purplish Red diamond; and a rarified offering of nine carefully curated diamond sets, two sets including a 2.47ct Fancy Intense Yellow diamond and a 4.04ct D colour diamond respectively, each from Diavik.  

The 48 lots will be showcased in London, Australia, Singapore and Belgium, with bids closing on November 18.