The ultrarare violet stone was cut from a 9 ct. piece of rough
At this year’s pink diamond tender Rio Tinto will offer a 2.83 ct. oval bearing that rarest of diamond colors—violet.
The Argyle Violet (pictured) comes from a 9.17 ct. piece of rough discovered in 2015 at the Rio Tinto–owned Argyle mine in 2015 in Perth, Australia. Argyle master cutter Richard How Kim Kam polished the stone. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has graded it fancy deep grayish bluish violet.
How rare are violet diamonds? In 32 years, Argyle has produced only 12 carats of violet diamonds for its tender, it says.
The Argyle Violet will be the centerpiece of this year’s Argyle Pink Diamond Tender, which kicks off in June.
“This stunning violet diamond will capture the imagination of the world’s leading collectors and connoisseurs,” said Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson in a statement.
(Photos courtesy of Rio Tinto Diamonds)
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Is the Era of Pink Diamonds Really Ending?
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