Surat and Mumbai diamantaires eye rare masterpieces as Rio Tinto unveils final diamond tender

Surat | Gujarat — Surat and Mumbai’s diamantaires are abuzz with excitement as Rio Tinto launches its final Beyond Rare™ Tender, a once-in-a-lifetime event featuring 52 extraordinary lots of rare pink, red, violet, yellow, and white diamonds. The tender, titled Into the Light, is the third and final installment of Rio Tinto’s prestigious annual Art Series, marking a historic moment in the global diamond trade.

With the closure of the legendary Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia in 2020 and the forthcoming shutdown of the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada in 2026, this tender represents the swan song of two of the world’s most iconic diamond sources. The collection, weighing 45.44 carats, includes six ‘Masterpieces’ alongside 39 single diamonds and seven curated sets — each an unparalleled gem in rarity and beauty.

A Historic Collection

Among the highlights are one GIA Fancy Red diamond, 12 Fancy Violet diamonds, and 76 Fancy Pink, Purple-Pink, and Purplish Pink diamonds, all from Argyle’s final legacy inventory. The Diavik mine’s contribution features two D-colour flawless white diamonds, including a 5.11 carat Emerald cut and a 3.02 carat Pear shape, as well as a 6.12 carat Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond.

“It is hard to overstate the importance of this final collection from two extraordinarily beautiful places on earth,” said Patrick Coppens, General Manager of Sales and Marketing for Rio Tinto’s Diamonds business. “No other mining company in the world has custody of such an exquisite collection of diamond colours, shapes and sizes.”

Surat and Mumbai Diamantaires Prepare

For India’s diamantaires — particularly in Surat, the world’s cutting and polishing hub, and Mumbai, the trading capital — the tender presents both prestige and opportunity.

“Diamonds like these are not just gems; they are pieces of history,” said Shailesh Mehta, a Surat-based diamantaire. “Owning or working on an Argyle pink or a flawless Diavik white is every jeweller’s dream. This final tender will be remembered for generations.”

Echoing the sentiment, Rajul Shah, a Mumbai diamond trader, added: “With supply ending, these diamonds will only grow rarer. Collectors and connoisseurs will chase them aggressively. We are preparing to bid strategically to bring some of these masterpieces to India.”

Global Showcase and Deadline

The collection will be showcased across Hong Kong, Australia, and Antwerp, with bids closing on October 20, 2025. Industry insiders expect fierce competition, as leading jewellers, collectors, and luxury houses vie for stones that are among the last of their kind.

For Surat and Mumbai diamantaires, this tender is more than just business — it’s a chance to be part of diamond history. As one trader aptly put it: “These diamonds are beyond rare, and so is this moment.”