Rio Tinto's final Beyond Rare Tender concludes with global competition

The event was titled ‘Into The Light’, and was the third in Rio Tinto’s annual Art Series. With the Argyle Diamond Mine having closed in 2020, and the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada expected to end production in 2026, the collection offered a rare opportunity for collectors to access rare diamonds from these sites.

“These Argyle pinks and rare coloured diamonds from Rio Tinto’s mines are among the most difficult stones to source globally, and their scarcity makes them a crucial investment for the future."

Leibish Polnauer, Leibish & Co.

The assortment (45.44 carats) included six ‘masterpieces’, seven curated diamond sets, and 39 single diamonds. The 52 lots were showcased in Hong Kong, Australia, and Antwerp, with bids closing on 20 October 2025.

Unsurprisingly, the tender generated intense global competition. Fancy colour diamond specialist Leibish & Co. secured 21 of the 52 lots, which included fancy red, fancy violet, and fancy pink diamonds, alongside Diavik's legacy inventory. President Leibish Polnauer said it was an honour to be involved in the tender.

"To secure such a considerable portion, 21 of the 52 lots in this final, historic Beyond Rare Tender is a tremendous honour and a testament to our dedication to excellence," Polnauer said.

“These Argyle pinks and rare coloured diamonds from Rio Tinto’s mines are among the most difficult stones to source globally, and their scarcity makes them a crucial investment for the future. We are thrilled to bring these final treasures to our global clientele.”

Additionally, Lot One was acquired by Rio Tinto Icon Partner John Glajz in collaboration with Hartmann’s of Copenhagen. The project, named ‘Pink Ice’, followed last year’s ‘Violet Ice’ acquisition and blended innovative design with irreplaceable diamonds.

“In the spirit of ‘opposites attract’, a pristine Diavik diamond, unearthed beneath the Arctic chill, has been paired with radiant pink gems born in the harsh Australian outback - both sourced from Rio Tinto's operations"

John Glajz, Glajz

"Securing Lot One in Rio Tinto's final Beyond Rare Tender was a profound honour, especially in collaboration with Hartmann’s of Copenhagen. This exceptional 5-carat, D-colour, Flawless, Type IIa white diamond from Diavik – paired with the last matching pear shapes from the Argyle mine, tells a compelling story of legacy and rarity,” Glajz explained.

“In the spirit of ‘opposites attract’, a pristine Diavik diamond, unearthed beneath the Arctic chill, has been paired with radiant pink gems born in the harsh Australian outback - both sourced from Rio Tinto's operations. With Argyle now closed and Diavik set to close within two years, this fusion creates the ‘Pink Ice’ jewel, an ode to a great legacy in a timeless piece.”

The conclusion of this tender marked the end of an era for Rinto Tinto’s fancy colour diamond offerings, with industry experts anticipating sustained demand for such rare natural treasures.

RIO TINTO'S 'INTO THE LIGHT' TENDER

This collection combined diamonds from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia and the Diavik Mine in Canada. Together, they reflected the collaboration between two notable mining regions and the shared focus on responsible sourcing and traceable origin.

Lot One in Rio Tinto's final Beyond Rare Tender, an exceptional 5-carat, D-colour, Flawless, Type IIa white diamond sourced from the Diavik mine and paired with the last matching pear shapes from Argyle, was won by Singapore-based diamond expert John Glajz. The piece tells a compelling story of legacy and rarity, which Glajz described as a profound honour.

Lots comprising Beyond Rare – Art Series 3: Into the Light were successfully placed with collectors and trade partners. The outcome marked the conclusion of the tender series, closing with full allocation across all categories.

The Into the Light collection centered on the concept of light as the defining feature of each diamond. The series highlighted how natural color and structure interact to produce unique optical qualities.

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