Copenhagen: Rio Tinto’s spectacular 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender has been launched during a world exclusive preview in Copenhagen against the backdrop of a rare Argyle pink diamond jewellery exhibition.

The 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender includes 63 pink, red and violet diamonds and represents the finest of a year’s production from Rio Tinto’s Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia.

The 2016 Tender, named the “Chroma Collection” because of its potency of colour, comprises 57 pink diamonds, two violet diamonds and four red diamonds and weighs a total of 58.24 carats.

The Argyle Violet, a 2.83 oval shaped violet diamond, is the dazzling centrepiece of the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender. It is the largest violet diamond ever recovered from the Argyle mine – the only source of hydrogen-rich violet diamonds in the world. Violet diamonds are extremely rare – with just 12 carats of polished diamonds coming from the Argyle mine and included in the iconic Tender over 32 years.

Rio Tinto Diamonds & Minerals chief executive Alan Davies said “The 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is an exceptional offering to the world’s most astute diamond collectors. The Chroma Collection is one of the finest we have ever seen across all rarity factors with an unprecedented spectrum of colour, size and clarity. We are already seeing strong global interest from established and emerging markets.”

All the diamonds in the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender have been recovered from the Argyle underground mine, which became fully operational in 2015.

Rio Tinto Diamonds managing director Simon Trott said “This year’s Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is extraordinary and is testament to the unique Argyle orebody that continues to produce the world’s rarest gems.”

The collection comprises five “hero” diamonds selected for their unique beauty and named to ensure there is a permanent record of their contribution to the history of the world’s most important diamonds:

• Lot 1: Argyle Violet™, 2.83 carat oval shaped violet diamond
• Lot 2: Argyle Ultra™, 1.11 carat pear shaped violet diamond
• Lot 3: Argyle Viva™, 1.21 carat pear shaped Vivid purple-pink diamond
• Lot 4: Argyle Thea™, 2.24 carat radiant cut Vivid purplish pink diamond
• Lot 5: Argyle Aria™, 1.09 carat oval shaped Fancy Red diamond

The world exclusive preview of the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender was showcased in Copenhagen alongside a unique exhibition of rare pink diamond jewellery, in recognition of the importance of Denmark in the story of Australia’s most valuable gems. The exhibition was hosted by Denmark’s premier luxury jeweller Hartmann’s at the Moltkes Palace in Copenhagen.

Following the Copenhagen exclusive preview, the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender will be showcased during invitation-only viewings in Hong Kong, New York and Perth and bids will close on 12 October 2016.