PERTH (miningweekly.com)  - Diversified major Rio Tinto has unveiled a new strategy for the future development of its Argyle Pink Diamonds brand, following the 2020 closure of the Argyle mine, in Western Australia.

The company this week launched the new Icon Partner programme, as part of its strategy to ensure it remains the world’s only official custodian of Argyle Pink Diamonds.

Rio has appointed two preeminent Argyle Pink Diamonds market developers, John Calleija and John Glajz, as its first Icon Partners. They will be licensed to use the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand for the remaining polished Argyle Pink Diamonds inventory and develop jewellery and limited edition pieces in keeping with their rarity, beauty and collectability. 

Calleija is a designer and owner of luxury jewellery house Calleija, known for his award-winning craftsmanship, having worked with Argyle Pink Diamonds since the beginning of the mine in 1983.

Renowned for producing some of the most iconic Argyle Pink Diamonds jewelled art and wearable treasures, he will continue to honour the Argyle legacy by developing further one-of-a-kind creations and limited edition collections.

Glajz, of rare gem specialist Glajz THG, has been creating bespoke Argyle Pink Diamonds jewellery and collectibles for more than 25 years. He has designed tiaras, collectible coins and numerous exclusive designs in creative collaboration with Mints, manufacturers and luxury diamond jewellery houses. His most recent collaboration brings together Muzo Emeralds and Argyle Pink Diamonds in a fusion of colour and creativity.

The Icon Partner programme is part of a strategy designed to protect the provenance of Argyle Pink Diamonds. Rio is also introducing a certification service, a concierge trading platform for certified Argyle Pink Diamonds, a new Beyond Rare Tender platform for special sales events and a number of strategic collections and collaborations involving existing inventory and the secondary market.

The secondary market for Argyle Pink Diamonds comprises almost 40 years of rare polished pink diamonds, together with heirloom pieces of jewellery, collectibles and objects.

Rio said that this market required careful management to preserve the precious provenance of Argyle Pink Diamonds and continue the legacy of careful custody that underscores its rarity.

“This is the start of a new chapter for Argyle Pink Diamonds, to ensure they maintain their value and investment potential as a finite, unrepeatable natural resource and achieve the status of outstanding heritage diamonds,” Rio minerals CEO Sinead Kaufman said.

“Rio Tinto is proud to continue to manage the legacy of this uniquely Western Australian product and I pay tribute to the unrivalled craftsmanship and deep engagement of all our customers and partners who have been, and continue to be, instrumental in creating the global phenomenon that is Argyle Pink Diamonds.”