Rio Tinto unveils $2m Argyle Rose piece

Rio Tinto has unveiled a new A$2M (£1.07M) Argyle Rose piece featuring one of the last diamonds to be mined from the Argyle mine in the East Kimberley, Western Australia.

The piece is exclusively designed by Western Australian jeweller Solid Gold Diamonds.

The Argyle Rose is notable for featuring a total of 3.25 carats of rare Argyle pink and blue diamonds encrusted in a rose motif, surrounded by white diamonds and hand-set in platinum and 18K gold.

The centre of the piece is an extremely rare 1.36 carat, fancy deep pink radiant cut diamond.

It is just one of 12 radiant cut diamonds over one carat with a colour grading, 1P, from the last 30 years of production from Argyle.

The Argyle Rose has been created as part of the Argyle Pink Diamonds Icon Partner programme, which aims to preserve the provenance and integrity of Argyle Pink Diamonds since the mine completed production in November 2020.

Sinead Kaufman, chief executive of Rio Tinto Minerals, said: “I am delighted to launch the Argyle Rose. Encapsulating a rich history and an extraordinary provenance, it is both a contemporary treasure and an heirloom for tomorrow.These rare and precious diamonds are one and a half billion years old, from one of the most beautiful places on earth, and the world is simply not producing them anymore.”

Peter Greene, executive chairman of Solid Gold Diamonds, added: “As a pioneer custodian of Argyle pink diamonds, it was incredibly humbling to be asked to design a true generational heirloom for the Argyle Pink Diamonds Icon program. Solid Gold Diamonds has built a strong partnership with Argyle Pink Diamonds over the past three decades.

“During this time, we have had the privilege of transforming these precious pink diamonds into coveted jewellery pieces. The Argyle Rose design signifies the pinnacle of our long-standing relationship.”