Winning bids for world's most precious pink diamonds are announced

Vintage year produces unprecedented interest from around the world

ANTWERP - The 23rd annual Rio Tinto Diamonds Argyle Pink Diamond Tender held over the past month in Perth, Hong Kong and New York has proved to be a record year. All 65 exquisite diamonds were sold to 17 successful bidders from around the globe, many at record breaking prices.

The world's most exclusive diamond sale featured the world's rarest pink diamonds from the Argyle mine in Australia, with around one hundred key clientele personally viewing the diamonds in secret locations.

The Argyle Signature Stones picked for 2007's tender attracted substantial interest due to the range of vivid and deep colours, excelling the high standard set in previous years. Spectacular purplish reds, stunning deep pinks and a rare grey-violet diamond were included in this year's exceptional collection.

Details of winning bids for the diamonds, amount of bidders and total revenue generated from the Tender are not disclosed to protect successful bidders' confidentiality. However, Rio Tinto pink diamonds are known to command prices exceeding $400,000 per carat, 20 times the price of equivalent white diamonds, due to rarity and market demand.

Leading coloured diamond designer and luxury retailer, John Calleija , who participated for the 11th time in the Tender said, "This year's stunning Argyle Pink Diamond collection has exceeded the quality and depth of colour seen in previous years and it was an absolute delight to view. Rio Tinto's Argyle pink diamonds are amongst the most desired gems in the world. Competition is always fierce and this year we had many interested parties who were very keen on acquiring such rare and spectacular diamonds. As a result I was thrilled to successfully win four diamonds, including three of the incredible purplish red diamonds. I am already planning jewellery designs for my Argyle Signature Stones which will be the flagship of my new London store, to be opened in The Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street in February 2008."

Because the Rio Tinto Pink diamonds are predicted to run out by 2018, their exclusivity and guaranteed value make them not only highly desirable but an ideal investment option The desire to invest in these rare pink diamonds has sent prices skyrocketing as bidders appreciate that each diamond is so unique it warrants an individual price tag.

Commenting on the 2007 Tender, Jean-Marc Lieberherr, General Manager Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto Diamonds said, "This year, the diamonds received an unprecedented level of interest and competition was fierce. Rio Tinto's pink diamonds are coveted by diamond collectors worldwide for their colour, energy and vibrancy that can literally take the breath away. But, as only a handul of such high quality diamonds are produced each year they are also a smart investment choice, guaranteed to grow in value."

WINNING BIDS FOR WORLD'S MOST PRECIOUS PINK DIAMONDS ARE ANNOUNCED [PDF: 34 KB]