Diamond News Article
By PAULINE
Published: February 28, 2012

Australia’s exquisite Argyle pink diamonds were showcased to the world during the 84th Academy Awards ceremony.

Livia Firth, wife of Academy Award winning actor Colin Firth, glittered during the world famous ceremony as she wore a beautiful pair of Calleija earrings and a ring featuring rare Argyle pink and blue diamonds.

Livia said “Not only are Argyle pink diamonds incredibly rare and beautiful, but they are ethically mined from the ground at Rio Tinto’s mine in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. From the Argyle mine they are cut and polished in Australia and designed and made into exquisite jewellery in John Calleija’s bespoke workshop in Australia.”

Argyle is the world’s largest producer of rare pink diamonds with more than 90 per cent of the world’s pink diamonds coming from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine.

Rio Tinto has been at the vanguard of reform in the jewellery industry to build better practices in environmental and social performance and has been recognized as a leader in sustainable development. Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson said,
”There are many hands involved in the transformation of a rough Argyle pink diamond into a beautiful piece of jewellery, and the details of this journey are very important to us. We are immensely proud of John Calleija whose passion for exquisite pink diamond design, with a conscience, has captured the attention of one of the world’s most envied women.”

John Calleija joins the ranks of the world’s leading designers including Tom Ford, Chanel, Armani, Stella McCarthy, Gucci and YSL in the pursuit of Livia Firth’s commitment to sustainable jewellery and fashion, known as the Green Carpet Challenge.

This month, Rio Tinto started cutting and polishing the biggest pink rough diamond ever discovered in Australia. The 12.76 carat diamond was unearthed at the Argyle mine. The diamond will be known as The Argyle Pink Jubilee and will be sold as part of the iconic Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender later this year.

About Argyle Pink Diamonds

Pink diamonds, produced at Rio Tinto’s Argyle Mine in Western Australia, are highly coveted as the world’s most sought after gems. The Argyle Diamond Mine produces more than 90 per cent of the world’s pink diamonds, which are sold in a broad range of colours and sizes to an international customer base.

Pink diamonds’ value is directly related to their rarity.  The market for pink diamonds is quite separate to white diamonds, and due to their rarity, pink diamonds typically command prices far in excess of white diamonds.

The best diamonds are reserved for the annual Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender. Rio Tinto’s Argyle Pink Diamonds business is located in Perth, Western Australia, alongside its cutting and polishing factory.

[Diamond News]