Rio Tinto reported on the successful results of the recent tender for "special" diamonds, on which large rough diamonds from three Rio mines were exposed.
Among the lots offered for the tender, held from October 3 to 24 in Antwerp and Israel, were high-quality diamonds weighing more than 10.8 carats, mined by Rio Tinto in Australia, Canada and Zimbabwe.
The collection of diamonds consisted of 104 parties, the central place among the lots was held by fantasy diamonds of cognac color, obtained at the Argyle mine. The most valuable lot was a 74-carat diamond mined at the Murowa mine in Zimbabwe.
"This special diamond tender demonstrates the uniqueness of Rio Tinto's diamond assets portfolio, and the results reflect the high demand for these categories," said Patrick Coppens, general sales manager for Rio Tinto Diamonds.