Rio Tinto’s Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender enthuses connoisseurs

Rio Tinto’s Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, known as the ‘Connoisseurs Collection” weighing a total of 44.14 carats and including four Fancy Red diamonds, was internationally popular with winners from 11 countries. 

These diamonds, which are also known as ‘the most concentrated form of wealth of earth” continued their double-digit price growth trajectory in 2015, achieving the highest average price per carat since the Tender began in 1984. The five “heroes” of the collection were sold to notable investors, collectors and retailers based in Europe, USA, China, and the Middle East. Whilst bids and total values remain confidential, the most valuable diamond was Lot Number 1, Argyle Prima™, a spectacular1.20 carat Fancy Red pear-shaped diamond, tightly contested for its unique combination of size, shape, colour and clarity which is seldom seen in the rarefied world of red diamonds. 

As far as Argyle Prima™ was concerned, it went to Sciens Coloured Diamond Fund 11 BV, for an undisclosed value. Mr Philip Baldwin, joint Managing Director of Sciens Diamond Management said, ”The rarity of Argyle pink diamonds, shaped by the forces of supply and demand, speak volumes about their investment potential and wealth creation.” 

Echoing the good result this year, Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson says,  “We are delighted with this year’s results which are a reflection of the collectability of Argyle pink diamonds and global appreciation of their rarity, provenance and beauty.”