June 26 saw a preview of Rio Tinto’s annual event, the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender for 2015 at the Sydney Opera House, introduced along with a short clip of choreography by the Australian Ballet’s artistic director David McAllister. 2015's tender was themed as the Connoisseur’s Collection, and showcased 65 diamonds at a total weight of 44.14 carats.
The 2015 Argyle Tender
The stars of 2015's show included three Fancy Red and two of the mine’s famous pink diamonds which attracted considerable attention and demand.
- Argyle Allegro™ is 0.79 carat radiant cut Fancy Red
- Argyle Aurora™ is an oval cut 1.7 carat Fancy Red
- Argyle Élevé™ is an emerald cut Fancy Intense Pink diamond of 1.44 carats
- Argyle Prima™ is a Fancy Red pear cut of notable clarity at 1.20 carats
- Argyle Spectre™ is a large 1.93 carat Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink in a shield cut.
The History
As the Argyle mine passes its 31st year, these rare diamonds are on their way to becoming even rarer. The mine is slated for closure in 2020, and it is estimated that there are less than 500 quality Argyle pink diamonds to be discovered. As long as the mine remains commercially viable, those hypothetical diamonds may be brought to the surface. However should there be an abrupt drop off in quality, the mine may be closed sooner, as was the case of the Ellendale yellow diamond mine. It is inevitable that these diamonds are entering a class of their own in terms of being seen as investments akin to works of fine art. Just as there is only one Claude Monet, who’s 1908 painting “Le Grand Canal” recently sold for GBP23.7 million at Sotheby’s, these diamonds are limited in supply. Each one is unique and a work of art millions of years in the making.
About Pink Diamonds
Investing in pink diamonds is seen as a safe haven for wealth when other assets prove too volatile. These alternative investments can build a disaster proof portfolio where stocks and other traditional investment vehicles fail to provide investors with a sense of security. The price of pink diamonds per carat has only gone up over the course of time, even during the recent recession. As with the finest artworks, these diamonds are meant to be acquired as investments over the long-term. Many of the stones will not become jewelry to be worn by celebrities and royalty, but will instead occupy room in a vault, or may be exhibited in museums for the marvels of nature that they are.
For more information about pink diamonds, see the links below:
- Innovative Concept for Selling Pink Diamonds
- Ten Things You Should Know About Pink Diamonds
- Pink - The Uncommon Diamond Color
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