Rio Tinto puts ‘vivid’ pink and red diamonds on market

Ballerina Dimity Azoury from the Australian Ballet holds up the Argyle Prima, a 1.20 carat Fancy Red diamond, during the launch of Rio Tintos Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender in Sydney on June 26, 2015. The 2015 Tender, known as the “Connoisseur’s Collection”, comprises of 65 diamonds weighing a total of 44.14 carats, including four Fancy Red diamonds, and is expected to attract global demand. AFP PHOTO / Peter PARKS

SYDNEY: Sixty-five extremely rare pink and red diamonds have been unveiled by mining giant Rio Tinto which expects the stones from a remote western Australia mine to fetch record prices at its annual sale.

The diamonds come from the Anglo-Australian firm’s Argyle mine – where more than 90% of the world’s pink and red jewels are produced each year.