For the first time, the collection also featured seven Old Masters, notable historic diamonds from the Argyle mine.
Bids came in from 12 regions across Australia, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Singapore and North America, Rio said.
“The continued strong global interest in highly collectible natural-coloured diamonds and the resulting value creation, reflects their stature as works of art to be treasured for future generations,” Rio Tinto Minerals chief executive Sinead Kaufman said in the statement.
Lot 40 comprising a 4.04 carat pear shaped pure white diamond from the Diavik mine, together with two rare pear shaped violet diamonds from the Argyle mine, is entrusted to Danish luxury jeweller Hartmanns, who will collaborate with Argyle Pink Diamonds partner Glajz to craft an heirloom piece of jewellery.
In the North American market, US jeweller and coloured diamond specialist J FINE was one…
