The final Argyle Pink Diamonds™ auction, consisting of 70 rare pink and red diamonds from the now-closed Argyle mine in Australia just delivered the most significant set of record breaking results in its 38-year history.
‘The Journey Beyond’
The 2021 collection, titled The Journey Beyond™, is a historical assortment of the very best of Argyle’s output, extracted in its final year of operations, before the mine was retired in November, 2020. The auction, which closed in October, delivered record breaking price performance across individual diamonds and for the overall collection. The diamonds were fiercely contested around the world in a series of virtual and face to face viewings.
Rio Tinto Minerals CEO Sinead Kaufman commented:
We are delighted with these results that are a reflection of the beauty, rarity and unique provenance of Argyle pink diamonds. They are also a testament to all those involved in taking these gems from a mine in remote Western Australia to the world.
Let’s revisit the stars of the show and their new homes.
Lot #1 – Argyle Eclipse™
3.47 carat Fancy Intense Pink SI2 Radiant Cut
- The largest fancy intense pink diamond offered in tender history.
- Won by famed Australian jeweler and Argyle Pink Diamonds Select Atelier™, Calleija.
Lot #2 – Argyle Stella™
1.79 carat Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink SI2 Square Radiant Cut
- The largest vivid purplish pink diamond offered at this final tender.
- Won by a bidder from Singapore.
Lot #3 – Argyle Lumiere™
2.03 carat Fancy Deep Pink SI2 Square Radiant Cut
- The second square radiant cut diamond above two carats ever presented at tender.
- Won by a bidder from the USA.
Lot #4 – Argyle Solaris™
2.05 carat Fancy Intense Pink SI2 Radiant Cut
- The seventh largest fancy intense pink radiant cut diamond offered at tender.
- Won by a bidder from Singapore.
Lot #5 – Argyle Boheme™
1.01 carat Fancy Red I2 Radiant Cut
- One of only two coveted fancy red diamonds offered in this final tender.
- Won by famed Australian jeweler and Argyle Pink Diamonds Select Atelier™, Calleija.
The End of the Journey
In November, 2020, we said “Goodbye, dear friend,” when Australia’s Argyle Diamond Mine was retired. This story brings a close to a cherished chapter in diamond industry history.
