Titled Into the Light, the results of the Art Series 03 reflect strong global participation with individual, multiple and global bids from jewellers, collectors and diamond connoisseurs. The winning bidders, from Europe, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and the Middle East, are representative of the strong ongoing demand for incomparable diamonds across major consumer markets.
The final collection of 52 lots, weighing 45.44 carats, is headlined by six ‘Masterpieces’ - diamond sets carefully selected to showcase the pinnacle of production from the Argyle and Diavik mines - together with 39 single diamonds and an additional seven matched sets of diamonds. The Argyle pink, red and violet diamonds have been curated from the final legacy inventory, representing some of the last of their kind in the world.
The highly coveted Lot 1, comprising a set of two Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink pear shapes of 0.25 carats each, with a 5.11 Flawless D colour Emerald cut Diavik diamond, was won by Singapore based Argyle Pink Diamonds Icon PartnerTM Glajz THG, in collaboration with longstanding Scandinavian luxury jeweller, Hartmann’s.
John Glajz, rare gem specialist and Managing Director of Glajz THG said, “We are delighted to win these extraordinary masterpieces of nature and look forward to honouring the powerful provenance of the Argyle and Diavik mines and their place in the history of jewellery.”
There was strong interest in the Beyond Rare TenderTM from Japan where Argyle Pink DiamondsTM have long been revered by Japanese jewellery designers. Distinguished diamantaire and longstanding Authorised Partner, Kashikey, won three lots, including Lot 7 – the only GIA* Fancy Red diamond in this final collection.
President and CEO of Kashikey, Kazuya Taguchi said “We are fortunate to be able to live in this era and witness the magnificent history of the world famous mine that produced Argyle pink diamonds, an earthly treasure of unparalleled beauty.
“To be able to be part of Argyle’s history, from discovery to closure, and the wonderful journey as an Authorised Partner, has been invaluable to Kashikey. We believe that the diamonds we have won in this final Tender will continue the legacy of the Argyle Pink Diamond, for many generations to come.”
The Argyle mine closed in November 2020 and is undergoing a planned period of rehabilitation as part of its closure commitments. Rio Tinto will close its Diavik diamond mine in 2026, after which there will be no remaining Rio Tinto operating diamond mines.
Patrick Coppens, General Manager of Sales and Marketing for Rio Tinto’s Diamonds business, said, “Presenting this final collection of Rio Tinto’s rarest diamonds is a wonderful epilogue to Rio Tinto’s inspiring story of mining and marketing diamonds.