Perth: Rio Tinto’s 2021 Argyle Pink Diamonds™ Tender collection of 70 rare pink and red diamonds from its Argyle mine in Australia has delivered the most significant set of record-breaking results in its 38-year history. The 2021 collection, titled The Journey Beyond™, is a historical collection comprising the pinnacle of the Argyle production, mined in its final year of operations, before closing in November 2020.

The 2021 Argyle Pink Diamonds™ Tender 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.

Sinead Kaufman, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Minerals, said “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.”

The 2021 collection continued its trajectory of double-digit price growth with 19 successful bidders from nine countries.

In a related statement, Rio Tinto announced that its entire 2021 Once in a Blue Moon Tender collection of 41 lots of carefully curated Argyle blue and violet diamonds, has been won by a single bidder, the Hong Kong fancy coloured diamond specialist, Kunming Diamonds.

Harsh Maheshwari, Executive Director of Kunming Diamonds, said, “We are delighted to be part of Argyle’s legacy in this historical moment, acquiring the Once in a Blue Moon collection. We cherish becoming the custodians of the final Australian treasures from this iconic and industry-defining mine, and look forward to unearthing the incredible possibilities in the years to come.”

Rio Tinto added that it had signed an exploration joint venture agreement with Endiama, the national diamond mining company of Angola, to evaluate the Chiri kimberlite in the Lunda Sul Province of Angola.