Limited edition Argyle Pink Diamond ingot commemorates underground mine opening 10 June 2013

Argyle-Pink-Diamond_YouTube-300x250Rio Tinto is delighted to reveal the release of a limited edition pink diamond ingot to commemorate the opening of the Argyle Underground Mine.

Unearthed and polished to perfection by Argyle Pink Diamonds, a selection of these pink gems have been meticulously hand set in a 1oz bed of pink gold crafted by The Perth Mint.
Argyle’s pink diamonds were formed more than a billion years ago deep below the earth’s surface under the ancient boab trees in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. To symbolise their origin, the ingot depicts a boab tree embedded with six Argyle pink diamonds. Each ingot is individually numbered.

“We are delighted to partner with The Perth Mint on the exclusive release of this distinctive investment piece. It is a beautiful symbol of the unique Argyle story and the recent milestone commencement of underground mining” said Kim Truter, managing director of the Argyle Diamond Mine.

Valued at A$4,880, only 168 individually numbered Argyle Pink Diamond ingots will be released for sale worldwide. Each ingot is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Purchasers can also source the ingot from authorised Argyle Pink Diamond ateliers provided on www.argylepinkdiamonds.com

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto’s business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America

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. Website: www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au