Argyle ‘Phoenix’ red diamond

DIAMONDS don’t just come in all shapes and sizes: they come in a rainbow of colors.

The world’s third largest miner behind Japan and the United States, Rio Tinto’s Argyle Pink Diamonds surprised the gem world when they announced about their entire collection of 64 red, pink, dark gray-blue, orangy-pink and purple-colored diamonds, including three certified natural fancy red diamonds found in Rio Tinto’s Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia.

The largest of three Argyle ‘Phoenix’ red diamond, is one of the world’s rarest gems weighted 1.56-carat and can pare several million dollars.

 Josephine Johnson, manager of Rio Tinto’s Argyle Pink Diamonds, holds the Argyle ‘Phoenix’ red diamond, 

one of the world’s rarest gems, during a private viewing at a Sydney hotel May 17, 2013.

“Since mining began in 1983 only six diamonds certified as Fancy Red by the Gemological Institute of America have been presented for sale at the annual tender,” Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson said.

“This is the largest red that has ever come from the Argyle diamond mine, To have three of these red diamonds on one tender is a very special moment in time.” said Josephine Johnson, manager of Argyle Pink Diamonds during a private viewing at a Sydney hotel May 17, 2013

These diamonds are included in 2013 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender – the first time in the 30-year history of the exclusive sale that it has included three red stones.

Tender viewing of this year’s collection will be held in Perth and Hong Kong, with previews in Sydney, New York and Tokyo. Bidding for the diamonds opens in August and closes in October.