The 2020 Argyle showcase – One lifetime, one encounter

Rio Tinto’s annual Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, the most exclusive diamond sale in the world, has taken its inspiration for its 2020 showcase from the…

Rio Tinto’s annual Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, the most exclusive diamond sale in the world, has taken its inspiration for its 2020 showcase from the Japanese philosophy of Ichigo Ichie, celebrating the unrepeatable nature of a moment in time.

Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia produces virtually the entire world’s supply of rare pink diamonds and will cease production at the end of 2020.

“Operating since 1983, the Argyle pink diamond jewellery phenomenon started in Japan in the late 1980s when Japanese designers boldly embraced Argyle’s pink diamonds and incorporated them in beautiful and innovative designs,” said Patrick Coppens, general manager, sales
and marketing for Rio Tinto’s diamonds business.

“In Japan today the Argyle pink hues are synonymous with romance and love and there is an unerring appetite for the smallest, palest pink diamonds, through to the rarest red diamonds.”

Titled One Lifetime, One Encounter, the 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender takes its reference from the closure of the iconic mine at the end of 2020, after almost four decades of production.

“The Argyle pink diamond story has continued to enthral throughout the years following the remarkable discovery of the Argyle mine in 1979,” said Patrick Coppens. “The 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is a collection of rare earthly treasures, intricate works of art and with a potency of colour that will be keenly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs from around the world.”

The 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is a historic collection of 62 diamonds including six ‘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 Number 3 in this year’s collection has been named Argyle Sakura in honour of Japan’s love of the cherry blossom hues of Argyle pink diamonds. Argyle Sakura is the largest Fancy Vivid pear shaped diamond offered in 37 years of the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tenders.

Also included in the Tender 2020 offering are 12 lots of carefully curated and never to be repeated sets of miniature rare Argyle pink, red, blue and violet diamonds, weighing 13.90 carats in total. Titled The Petite Suites, these collectible diamonds have been meticulously collected over a five year period, striking a harmonious balance between size, shape, colour and clarity.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender has been previewed virtually with exclusive invitees before viewings later in the year at the Argyle mine, in Perth and then travelling to Singapore and Antwerp. Bids close on December 2, 2020.

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