Rio Tinto to Offer Three Red Diamonds at Annual Tender

The 2013 tender consists of 64 diamonds, including 58 pink stones, three fancy reds and three blue diamonds.

Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson said, “Since mining began in 1983 only six diamonds certified as fancy red by the Gemological Institute of America have been presented for sale at the annual tender.”

The Argyle tender displays the top diamonds from the annual production from the Argyle mine in Western Australia.

One of the outstanding items is a 1.56-carat round red gem called the Argyle Phoenix in honor of the newly commissioned Argyle underground mine.

For the first time in eight years, there is a diamond greater than three carats – a 3.02-carat radiant, fancy intense orangey pink diamond called the Argyle Imperial.

In addition, there is a 0.71-carat blue heart-shaped diamond called the Argyle Celestial which is expected to be sold with a matching heart-shaped fancy pink diamond from the collection.

Tender viewings will be held in Perth and Hong Kong with previews in Sydney, New York and Tokyo, and bids close on October 8.